Cleveland's Source for Dog Training News and Information
This Just in
Mid-Long Range Survey Results are in
It appears North Coast Dogs is strongest in cases where serious problem
behaviors need to be solved. Our clients reported the greatest improvement
in behavior in aggression cases (55%). That is also the category that
scored highest for customer satisfaction (60% rated us excellent, 30% good,
10% fair, 0% poor). Among in-home aggression cases 95% of the dogs
are still living in their homes. And 55% of respondents said North
Coast Dogs training was pivotal in helping them keep their dog.
Overall the results are also encouraging. Nearly everyone reported
significant improvement in their dog's behavior. 97% of our clients'
dogs are still living in their homes. 34% said North Coast Dogs training
was pivotal in helping them keep their dog.
Customer satisfaction: Totals
Most importantly, we received excellent comments and suggestions. Many
point to areas where we need to keep doing what we do well (customer care
and excellence in education to name two). Other comments showed us where
we need to improve (acoustics at the Lakewood Learning Center was a big one!).
More than one in four North Coast Dogs clients past and present responded
to the survey. That is a huge response for a voluntary self-reporting
survey. We are ever so thankful.
Full survey results plus selected comments (the good the bad and the ugly)
will be posted on our web site
bulletin board in the coming weeks.
So You Want to be a Dog Trainer?
North
Coast Dogs and the APL need some excellent people to volunteer their time
and skills to dogs in need. The payoff: tons of free learning in the
field of dog training and behavior (not to mention personal satisfaction).
As you might have read in our last issue, North Coast Dogs has been contracted
to help the APL develop its training and behavior department. Part
of that project includes establishing the "B-Team." That's
an elite corps of volunteers assigned to work exclusively on issues related
to dog training and behavior.
This is an amazing opportunity. And we know we have some very talented
clients out there who would be great for this kind of volunteer work.
Please let us know if you are interested. Contact Michael
Baugh directly via e-mail or call us at 216-221-DOGS. Do NOT call
the APL.
Wanted: Thunderstorm Phobic Dogs
to test new product
We're looking for some thunderstorm phobic dogs to test a new product just
out on the market. The product works on the theory that thunderstorm
phobia is caused by the static electricity generated by storms. So,
if your dog is afraid of thunderstorms but NOT afraid of other loud noises,
he or she might be a candidate. We'd especially like to hear from
you if your dog hides in the bathroom during storms.
You must be willing to allow your dog to be on television for this test.
If you are interested call or e-mail Michael
Baugh directly.
The Truth About "Dominance"
Is
your dog an Alpha Dog? Is she dominant or submissive? And what
the heck is this dominance theory anyway? Well, North Coast Dogs is
here to help clear things up.
Wolf behaviors and social hierarchies have been widely studied.
And dog trainers have gained a lot by having a greater understanding of
wolves. But dogs are not wolves. They are a completely different
species. You might be surprised to learn that dogs really don't play
by all the same social rules wolves do.
So what is the real truth about dog social behavior? And how does
it apply to training our dogs? Please join us for what promises to
be a lively presentation and discussion.
The Truth About "Dominance"
Friday, August 8th at 6 p.m.
North Coast Dogs Lakewood
$5
RSVP by e-mail or call 216-221-DOGS
Clicker Crazy
Almost
everyday someone calls and asks us what clicker training is. Some
people seem unsure about it. Others sound absolutely frightened by
the idea of using the little noise-maker.
The click is a clear and unique signal to the dog that she has done something
right. Specifically, it's a signal that a treat is soon to follow.
Thus, click and treat! Clicker training is a means of communicating
success to our dogs. That's all. It's a little bit like saying
"good girl." But in the case of clicker training the click
is always followed by a treat. We don't always treat after we say
"good girl."
What is clicker training NOT used for? It is not a cue to get your
dog to sit or down. It's not used to get your dog to do anything.
It is only a signal to your dog that she just did something right.
We use clicker training to help us with our timing. Sea mammal trainers
taught us that positive reinforcement is best used if it comes within 3
seconds after the desired behavior. It's easy enough to deliver a
treat to your dog for sitting right in front of you. But what if you're
working at a distance? It's hard to get that positive reinforcement
(treat) to your dog within the 3 seconds. That's where the clicker
comes in. The click is a secondary positive reinforcement. It's
a signal that can be delivered immediately (within the 3 seconds).
The treat can then be delivered to the dog several seconds later.
Think of it like the bell on a game show that signals a contestant that
he's won. Ding-ding-ding (click) -- now here's Rod Roddy with your
prize package (treat).
With a little practice using the clicker for training becomes second nature.
Before long you won't even notice it in your palm. It will become
a natural extension of your thumb - always on the clicker - ready to reinforce.
If you are right-handed, hold the clicker in your left hand.
This leaves your right hand free to direct your dog and to fetch treats
from your treat bag. You may choose to attach a strap to the clicker
and put it on your wrist. Or you can carry it in your pocket for quick
access. You never know when your dog is going to do something right.
If you don't have a clicker and treats handy you can certainly still reinforce
your dog in other ways (like saying "good girl"). We all
like to complimented for a job well done.
Caymen: A Success Follow Up
We
first told you about Caymen last summer. He was on his way to be euthanized
because he wasn't potty trained. North Coast Dogs got him on a potty
training plan and all seemed to be going well. But, as it turns out,
not everyone in the family was following through with the training.
Caymen relapsed and his family surrendered him.
Thank God for the Sanctuary for Senior Dogs. Within days they had
a new loving home for Caymen. A lovely retired couple adopted him.
And guess what? Caymen hasn't had one potty training accident.
Not one! His new "parents" wouldn't give him up for the
world!
Emergency Help Line
Have you ever thought to yourself, "I don't know if I can live with
this dog anymore?" Behavior problems are the #1 reason dogs are
surrendered to shelters. Whether you've been a client or ours or not
you can always call North Coast Dogs. Make us your first choice as
soon as you feel like your dog's place in your family is in jeopardy.
Our staff is kind and professional. No one will pass judgment on you.
We'll do everything we can to help you keep your dog in your home, in your
family and in your heart.
New Classes Coming Up
Fly
Ball
Now is the time to sign
up for our first-ever fly ball class. It starts August 2nd at
3:30 p.m.
Speed, accuracy, endurance and fun. That's what the canine sport of fly
ball is all about. Two teams with four dogs, a set of four jumps and
a spring-loaded box with a tennis ball line up side by side. Each team's
dogs jump their jumps, grab the ball and run back over the jumps. When a
team dog crosses the finish line another dog from the team heads toward
the jumps. It's a relay race and the fastest team wins!
North Coast Dogs has sponsored a team in training for the past six months.
It's been building in skill and should be ready for competition by the end
of the year. But now we're also offering a 6-week course in fly ball. The
idea is to feed the team with qualified dogs and handlers.
You can sign up for fly ball on our web
site or by calling 216-221-DOGS. The pre-requisite is our CGC/TDI class
or an equivalent. And we ask that your dog be friendly with other dogs.
Pet First Aid / CPR
Our next Pet First
Aid / CPR class is Sunday August 31st at 10 a.m. in Lakewood.
Tracking
We're offering a 6-week class in
tracking starting September 5th at 6 p.m. in Brunswick.
Continuing Education Discount
We're is offering a continuing education discount to current class students.
If you are in a class now and sign up and pay for your next level class
we'll give you a 10% discount. This discount applies to North Coast
Dogs class clients or students currently enrolled in class at another training
school.
Discounts on Bulk Class Purchase
Buy an entire 10 dog class for your business or nonprofit group
North Coast Dogs is happy to offer a special cut rate discount on group
classes for businesses and nonprofit groups . Buy an entire 10-dog,
6-week Family Dog class for your group at up to 50% off the regular price.
This is a great way to educate your team about the benefits of positive
reinforcement. It's also a nice treat. Or you could use the
class as a fundraiser -- but the class at 1/2 off and sell it for full price!
The possibilities are endless.
Contact Michael Baugh to
discuss opportunities.
Back to School for Dogs
August is back to school time for dogs. With summer vacation behind
you its time to get the kids ready for school. And by "kids"
we mean your canine kids! So North Coast Dogs is putting it's back
to school items on sale -- 10% off!
The sale is on for the entire month of August at our Lakewood Learning
Center. Stop by and see us.
Special Ordering
Looking for something special? We'll find it for you and have it
shipped directly to our Lakewood Learning Center. Special ordering
is nothing special at all. We're happy to do it as a service to our
clients and their beloved dogs.
Dog Park News
Lakewood
The Lakewood Dog Park is open and running smoothly for the most part.
We've heard reports of a few minor problems here and there (please don't
bring your pet BIRDS to the park)! But we've also heard some great
stories of big fun and productive doggie socialization.
The folks at FIDO and The City of Lakewood ask that we all please read
and follow the rules of the park. They are there to help all of us
have a safe and enjoyable time. North Coast Dogs and some other Lakewood
training companies also teamed up to develop Dog Park Etiquette recommendations.
Those are posted in the kiosk.
Brunswick
Plans are still in the work to open a dog park in Brunswick. If you'd
like more information on that visit the Brunswick
Dog Park web site.
Other Parks
Dog parks are in the planning stages all over the Cleveland Metro area.
Visit www.clevelanddogparks.com
for the latest details.
As always, North Coast Dogs offers supervised indoor
play at our Dog Park
Classes. Those are held at our Lakewood and Brunswick Learning
Centers.
