May '06

Cleveland's Source for Dog Training News and Information

What's New/Community Events

 

A NEW CLASS!
Do you have a greyhound, whippet, or other sight hound or sight hound mix? We have a class for you! Announcing...

"Good Manners and Play: A Foundation Class for Sight Hounds and Sight Hound Mixes"
This 6-week class beginning MAY 9TH will be taught by our own Julie Weir, who has been a trainer at NCD for several years and is active in Flyball and Agility with her dogs Pete (Whippet) and Woody (Whippet mix).

• Both young and old welcome!
  
• Positive training principles with special attention to the mind of the sight hound.
  
• In addition to the basics, we will work on skills that generate a positive attitude about learning and playing with us, such as trick training, confidence building, and play.

Class begins May 9th at our Lakewood/West Cleveland location. For more information or to register, call 216-221-DOGS (3647) or go to our website at www.northcoastdogs.com.

 

Friday, May 12, 2006

Animal Jam 2006 - Benefit for the Brooklyn Animal Shelter

Location: The Velvet Dog
1280 W. 6th Street, Cleveland

7:30pm - 1:00am (21 and over)

Five Great Cleveland Bands: 86K, Shady Drive, AnyOldThing, YonnoRay & GypsyComplementary food and reduced drink prices!
50/50 Raffle with bonus prize!
FREE door prizes!

Admission $10.00
More info or to purchase tickets, go to:
http://www.brooklynshelter.org/Events.htm

Sunday, May 14, 2006

2nd Annual PAWS 4 a Cause
5-Mile or 5K Run, & 1-Mile Dog Walk
Presented by PAWS (Public Animal Welfare Society)

9:00 a.m. Start Time
8:00 a.m. Registration

For more information, check out:

https://snow.he.net/~ncnrace/registration/race5/race5.shtml

Sunday, May 28, 2006

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs
Adoption Sunday Event

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs Adoption & Education Center
4456 Broadview Road
Cleveland , OH 44109

For more information, call or email:

216-485-9233
seniordogs@aol.com

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The Studio at North Coast Dogs

The Studio is still going strong at our Lakewood/West Cleveland location! For more information or online session signups, visit our website at www.northcoastdogs.com.

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Article: "What would YOU work for?" by Ed Dickson

I LOVE ice cream. I must admit, this simple cold little pleasure is something that I would jump through hoops to gain access to. Ice cream has come a long way over the years. It used to be the giant tub of three flavors that my brothers, sisters and I looked forward to was enough. Now, it comes in so many varieties from so many brands I’m not just working really hard to get the big tub anymore. I’m working really hard if I know some Ben and Jerry’s or Mitchell’s will be on the other end. Now, if the big tub is all I know will be available, that works, but the effort might not be quite as energetic. It’s all about the correct motivation.

So, I don’t tell you this to give you insight as to who I am and what I like. I use that example to make the point that living objects work for enjoyable reinforcement. A good leader is the one who has or creates priority access to the objects that are reinforcing. I say objects because, although I used the example of food above, food is not the only reinforcer in the world for me. I will also work hard to achieve a fun game of catch, dinner with friends, etc. The point being, in your relationship with your dog, it will be up to you to pay attention to what your dog really finds reinforcing, gain priority access or control over those objects and use them to reinforce your dog when he/she offers you a behavior that you like. Once you do this, you can create games to play with your dog that allows him to earn the object he wants while you are getting behavior you want. Now you’re both having fun, the dog is learning, and you are quickly becoming the envy of not only other people who haven’t figured this out yet, but, more importantly, your dog.

Here’s an example for you. I am the proud new owner of a 2-year-old Border Collie named Alex. I have had him for 7 months. He and I have had a blast during this time getting to know each other while I have been learning what really motivates him. Of course the easy one was food. He loves to eat and really enjoys in-between meal snacks. I have used these snacks as opportunities to train. He doesn’t get them unless he is giving me good behavior. When I do more training this way, I cut back on his meal and also use some of that during the training session.

Most recently, I have discovered that a high-energy game of Frisbee is also one of Alex’s greatest joys. When I take him to play Frisbee, I establish the behaviors that I would most like to work on, ask for those or lure him into what I want and as soon as I get it, the Frisbee gets thrown. He chases full speed to get it, picks it up and trots back to me while I’m praising him and calling him every step of the way. When he gets back, he drops it on cue, backs up and looks to me for the direction of what I would like him to do so that it gets thrown again. Four behaviors for one Frisbee throw. (Come, drop it, back up and the one I ask for before the throw.) I am initiating the game, and when it’s done he runs pleasantly where I would like him to go for the next reinforcement dole out from my hand.

Some quick reference points to think about. Determine what your dog’s “tail waggers” are and gain control over those objects so that you can apply a behavior first followed by reward philosophy. Keep in mind that your dog’s motivator might be a certain food or treat, a particular toy or game, or even a belly scratch. Finally, make it fun for your dog to earn those rewards. If you are able to establish this and can be disciplined and patient enough yourself, your relationship with your dog will improve tremendously and the payoff in behavior will become pleasant and enjoyable. Now I’m off for a big ‘ol bowl of Cookies n Cream!

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Just For Fun

Here are some fun dog-related weblinks you might enjoy:

www.dogster.com - A fun online dog community where your dog can have his or her very own webpage!

www.doggiefun.com - Another online community with lots of articles and contests.

www.thedoggieloft.com - Some of the most stylish dog duds on the web!

www.askdoglady.com - A fairly amusing website with "Advice on dogs, life, and love"

 

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Event Calendar

View printable version of this calendar.

Sign up for a class online.

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