Winter 2007
Welcome to
the second edition of the Carolark Times. The intent of the newsletter is to provide
information and educational articles for you and your pet. Please feel free to share your suggestions or
send an email to carolark@igs.net for training articles or questions on dog
behaviour.
International Positive Dog Trainers Association – Oct. 2007
The International Positive Dog Trainers Association (IPDTA) held its annual conference Oct 21–22, 2007 in Kitchener, Ont. Speakers included Dr. Stanley Coren, Kellie Snider from North Texas University and Carolyn Clark.
Carolyn’s
presentation topic was Behaviour Theory Made Easy. This is the
second time that Carolyn has been a speaker at the annual IPDTA conference.
Reward and Recognition
Every year the IPDTA acknowledges individuals and groups who have contributed to the betterment of dogs and their people. Nominations are received and members vote for recipients.
That it is a peer award is a special honour. Carolyn was surprised to discover that she was nominated for and was voted to win the Education in Society Award.This award
demonstrates Carolark’s commitment to
training people and pets. The Centre of
Applied Canine Behaviour is dedicated to helping owners enjoy that special relationship
that can exist between owner and dog. As
part of its Mission Statement Carolark provides the best
training possible for people and their dogs, emphasizing a positive people/pet
relationship in an atmosphere of care, friendliness, professionalism and
respect for our clients, their dogs and ourselves.
Introducing the
Carolark Team
In each edition we will introduce you to members of the Carolark team.
Your first point of contact at Carolark is with our office team.
Audrey MacDonald is our Administrator and Registrar. Audrey’s chocolate Labrador pal, Toby, sometimes accompanies her to work. When not at work at the Centre, Audrey has a private practice as a certified Reflexologist.
Jo-Ann Steele shares office duties part time and teaches many of our daytime classes as well as the Thursday 6:30 p.m. Good Manners 1 class. Jo-Ann’s three Shelties, Emma, Jenny and Tina keep her household busy.
Our teaching staff includes Instructors, Senior Trainers, Assistants and Apprentices. We also have Volunteers on board. In this and newsletters to come we will introduce you to our teaching staff.
All of our staff has come up through the classes, training their own dogs. In the course of attending classes, all have been “bitten by the bug”, wanting to learn more about behaviour and teaching and passing along the knowledge. After serving lengthy apprenticeships including participation annually at educational seminars and workshops and maintaining their own dog’s training, some go on to become senior trainers and some instruct classes.This month we introduce our puppy people.
Cathie Buchanan teaches puppy classes on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. Cathie began assisting at Puppy Classes back in the days of rental space at the Glen Cairn Community Centre and Belll High School. She has been teaching classes since our opening here in 1992. Cathie raised her Labrador, Casey, for his whole lifetime following Carolark protocols. Now taking over Casey’s role is 3 year old black Labrador, Piper.
Janet MacLachlan teaches and assists Cathie on Wednesday evenings. Janet actually began helping out at advanced classes in 1994 but over the last few years, Janet has been spending more and more time with the puppies. Janet has trained her dogs through all levels of obedience and competed in rally-o and agility. While she currently does not live with a dog she continues to teach puppy classes and works with the Australian Shepherd rescue group evaluating, training and occasionally fostering a rescue.
Carolyn Clark also teaches and assists with puppy classes, mainly on Sundays.
Janet with the lovely Finnigan
We
are very proud of our team. We are all
committed to the best interests of people and their pets. "If there is a better way we will find
it."
Anniversaries September to December 2007
Congratulations and thank you to
Suan Chew, Senior Trainer – 6 years
Sandy Leach, Instructor – 5 years
Judy Miller, Instructor – 15 years
Helen Brown, Volunteer – 1 year
Holiday Gift Season Is Upon Us
…
Consider a
visit to Carolark for the latest in canine books, DVDs and training
equipment. These would make lovely gifts
for your canine friends.
A gift certificate toward one of the classes that are offered at Carolark makes a great gift. If your family or friends are getting a puppy a gift certificate for puppy class would be invaluable. Or you may want to enroll in one of the 3 levels available at Carolark: Level 1 Basic Good Manners class, attend Level 2 Good Manners and More, or participate in Level 3, the Advanced Training.
Please call the Centre at 591-3277 or visit in person at 600 Eagleson Rd., Kanata to make your holiday gift purchase.
Holiday and Seasonal Safety Tips
Visit www.doggonesafe.com
Christmas plants such as
holly and poinsettia are poisonous to dogs. Keep these plants well out of
your dog’s reach.
Do not introduce a new dog
or puppy into your home during the holiday season. When a dog is adopted
into a new environment, it needs lots of attention. Holidays do not permit the
time to make a new dog or puppy feel secure. Remember, puppies aren’t toys.
They are a lifetime commitment. If you wish, give an IOU or gift that
represents the dog or puppy. This can be a collar, leash or food bowl.
Don’t place lights on the
lower branches of your Christmas tree. They can become hot and burn your
dog.
Puppies may chew on
electrical cords. Be sure to place cords where your dog can’t get near
them. Dogs can be electrocuted or shocked if they chew on electrical cords.
If you purchase holiday
gifts or treats for your dog, examine them thoroughly. Rawhide treats and
small plastic balls or toys can be choking hazards.
Avoid using glass
ornaments. They will cut your dog’s mouth and paws if broken.
Never leave your dog
unattended if he can get to your Christmas tree. Sharp needles on both artificial and live trees
cannot be digested and can cause a wide range of problems if swallowed.
Your dog’s intestines can
become blocked or circulation can be cut off if tinsel is swallowed. It’s
best to avoid using tinsel when dogs are present in your home.
Never use edible ornaments
to decorate your tree. Dogs may knock the tree over in order to get to the
treats.
Keep all candy and treats
out of your dog’s reach. Chocolate, alcohol and marshmallows are toxic for
dogs.
Keep to a normal schedule
as much as possible during the holiday season. This will prevent your dog
from becoming overly stressed. Dogs that are stressed often suffer from
behavioral issues.
Winter Health Tips
Wind chill causes
colder conditions than what is read on a thermometer. Dogs shouldn’t be
left outside for long periods of time. Even a half hour in frigid temperatures
can cause problems. Be sure to keep a sharp eye on your dog’s body temperature
and never leave him in the yard for more than 10 minutes when temperatures dip
below freezing.
Always be sure your dog
has adequate shelter where it will be warm and dry. Be sure that he isn’t
lying in a drafty area. Place his bed, blanket or pillow on tile and wood
floors to give him a warm place to sleep.
Groom your canine
companion on a regular basis. A coat that is well maintained is well
insulated. Shorthaired dogs and those with coarse coats get cold easily.
Consider purchasing a blanket, coat or sweater to keep your dog warm.
Trim excess hair from footpads and toes of
longhaired dogs. This makes it easier to remove ice and snow. Be careful
not to injure your dog’s foot
when trimming hair.
If you own a working dog,
or if your canine companion spends hours outdoors, feed it extra calories.
In winter, dogs need extra energy to regulate body temperature. Extra food
provides necessary nutrients to see your dog through the most frigid days.
If your dog gets wet when
out in inclement weather, towel or blow-dry his coat. Be sure to dry his
paws well to prevent footpads from cracking. If your canine companion’s footpad
becomes dry, moisten it with petroleum jelly.
Use caution if you and
your dog are walking, playing or working around frozen creeks, rivers, lakes or
streams. If your dog jumps or slips into frigid water, his body temperature
will drop quickly. Dogs can die from hypothermia, just as humans can.
Never leave your dog alone
in a vehicle. If the engine is off, he can die from hypothermia. If the
engine is left running, he can be overcome with carbon monoxide fumes.
Anti freeze that leaks
onto driveways and roads smells and tastes good to dogs. However, it is
highly poisonous and can be lethal to your canine companion if ingested.
Like humans, dogs are more
likely to experience health problems in winter. If your dog is listless,
lethargic or experiences symptoms of illness, such as coughing, take him to the
veterinarian as soon as possible.
Woodstoves, fireplaces and
portable heaters can cause severe burns to your canine companion. Be sure
your dog stays away from all heat sources.
Follow these tips for keeping your
dog healthy this winter season!!
Sit to Greet People
If you will be entertaining guests over the holidays, please read the article below prepared by Judy Miller. These suggestions will help Fido be the perfect host or hostess.
Sitting to greet people is essential polite behaviour for any dog. Not many people, either friends or strangers, enjoy being jumped on by your dog. Dogs jumping up can damage clothes, cause bruises and may frighten someone who is fearful of dogs. Even young puppies can be frightening to some people and at the least are annoying when jumping up.
Start now to insist that your dog always sits when people approach you on your walk. People on the street have no idea how to stop your dog from jumping up, and it should not be their responsibility. Be aware, and manage the situation yourself.
When you first see people approaching (when they are still at least 2 houses away), get the dog to Sit, let the leash form a loop from your hand to the ground and up to the dog's collar. Hang on to the leash, and stand on it at the spot where the leash touches the ground. He can continue to sit comfortably, but will not be able to jump up.
Be firm and tell them
something like "Right now I'm training him to sit so that when we have
visitors he won't jump up on them - could you help? I'll get him sitting and then you can
pat him".
BRAGS
Many Rally O students of Carolark earned
CARO titles in 2007; here are a few:
Dian McTaggart and loving companion Sabrina Suede - Excellent CL March 2007
Sabrina Suede Rally Excellent CL
Florence Cheung and loving companion Fanta - Excellent July 2007
Fanta
with his Excellent Ribbons
Cassey Montgomery and loving companion Lily - Novice July 2007
Louise and loving companion Topaz - Versatility Oct 2007
Congratulations to the above teams on your success! And a special thanks to Judy Miller for her
support and guidance.
Carolyn and the team at Carolark wish you a very happy holiday season. We look forward to training with you and your canine companion in the new year.
Best Wishes for 2008!
Upcoming Events
New for 2008!
A TTouch
workshop is scheduled for Jan. 19th and 26th,
2008. TTouch is a gentle respectful and
effective approach to the care and training of your companion animal. It is a great way to spend time with your dog
and improve the relationship with your canine friend. Please call to reserve at 613-591-3277 toll
free 1-877-763-6664.
..............................................................
CARO Rally Obedience Trial
Hosted by: M & M
– 03 Feb 2008
Trial #: T08-004 - 4
Novice Runs
Judges: Judy Miller & Darlene
McCuaig
Email: berners3@rogers.com
..............................................................
Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers
Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog
Trainers 12th Annual Educational Conference, AGM and Market Place
will be held on April 18th
– 20th, 2008 at the Travelodge in Ottawa, Ont.
The conference theme is A Capital Idea
… Exploring the Relationship
With Pets. The
conference is designed for all
people who care about pets.
We are honoured to present the following Keynote Speakers: Bob Bailey, Philly Hennessey, Phil Arkow, Don Hanson, Dr. Simon Gadbois, and Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruiz.
Workshop Presenters include: Anne Douglas, Joan Orr, Jacinthe Bouchard, Patrice Robert, Dr. Beltran DVM, Dr. Alison Seely DVM, Edie Jane Eaton TTouch, and Dee Ganley.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the Travelodge at no extra cost.
A narrated bus tour of the city and a visit to the RCMP stables are included. For conference rates and to download a registration form visit www.cappdt.ca
Editor: Dian McTaggart
December
2007
If
you missed the Fall 2007 Newsletter, you can read it here