Thursday, August 9, 2012

NEW: Playgroups at Dogs Learning Center, LLC

NEW: Jenn McKay of Canine Aspirations hosts
Playgroups at Dogs Learning Center, LLC
577 Main St.
Hudson, MA 01749
This is a playgroup for dogs and their owners who are looking for socialization, education and fun.  Dogs who are well-socialized and dog-friendly are welcome to join.  Playgroups are owner-attended. Come, stay and learn while you watch your pup play with some pup pals.  

Monday playgroups:
1-1:30pm or 1:30-2pm
Friday playgroups:
1-1:30pm or 1:30-2pm
  • Playgroups are $15 for 1 dog, or $25 for 2 dogs from the same family 
  • Pre-registration by email to canineaspirations@gmail.com. Pre-registration must be received by 6pm the night prior to playgroup you wish to attend. 
  • Playgroups are limited to 5 dogs per 30 minute session.  Drop-ins without prior notice may not be accepted. 
  • Any dog may be asked to leave at the discretion of DLC staff. 

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Rally Obedience Classes


Rally Obedience Classes
at Dogs Learning Center
577 Main St.
Hudson, MA 01749
What is rally obedience?
Rally obedience is a sport in which dog and handler move through a numbered course.  Depending on the level there can be anywhere from 12-30 stations.  Each station consists of a pace change, a stationary skill (such as a sit, down or stand), or a moving skill (serpentine through cones, 360 degree turn left, finish, about turns, etc…).   

This class will focus primarily on the skills required for AKC, APDT or Cyber Rally-O.  We will work on how to train individual skills, as well as complete courses for the three above listed organizations.   

Class prerequisites:
Must have basic obedience skills and be able to work around other dogs.  Dogs must be dog-friendly.  Handlers must have experience with clicker training.

Rally Obedience Schedule:
Classes start July 30th, Monday 4-5pm 
Start class at anytime -- all classes are rolling admission 
$180/6 consecutive weeks of classes
Private lessons are also available
Email to receive a registration form to sign-up

Here is a video of my collie Tara completing a Level 1 CRO course:  


Serving Sudbury, Wayland, Framingham, Marlborough, Northborough, Southborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard, Acton, Bolton, Berlin, and Boxborough, MA

Canine Musical Freestyle Classes


Canine Musical Freestyle Classes
at Dogs Learning Center
577 Main St.
Hudson, MA 01749
What is canine freestyle?
Canine freestyle is a competitive dog sport in which dog and handler perform a choreographed routine set to music. Freestyle combines obedience, dance and tricks into creative routines.  Dogs and their handlers are encouraged to have fun and show off their attitude and teamwork in this exciting and challenging sport. 

Class prerequisites:
Must have basic obedience skills and be able to work around other dogs.  Dogs must be dog-friendly.  Handlers must have experience with clicker training.

Canine Freestyle Schedule:
Beginning Canine Freestyle: Wednesdays 7-8pm or Fridays 10:30-11:30am
Advanced Beginner Canine Freestyle: Fridays 9:30-10:30am
Start class at anytime -- all classes are rolling admission 
$180/6 consecutive weeks of classes
Private lessons are also available
Email to receive a registration form to sign-up

Serving Sudbury, Wayland, Framingham, Marlborough, Northborough, Southborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard, Acton, Bolton, Berlin, and Boxborough, MA

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Rally obedience classes start Mon. July 30th at 4pm

Rally obedience classes starting Mondays from 4-5pm on July 30th. Classes will be held at Dogs Learning Center in Hudson, MA. We will work primarily on APDT, AKC, and CRO (Cyber rally-o) courses and signs. Contact us to sign up.  Check out Canine Aspirations for contact info. 

Playgroups for Dogs and Parents

Playgroups for dog-friendly dogs and their owners beginning soon on Mondays and Fridays from 1-1:30pm and 1:30-2pm outside at Dogs Learning Center in Hudson, MA. Playgroups will be limited to 5 dogs per group for 30 mins of playtime. We will discuss dog body language and appropriate play. We will also work on recalling dogs out of play. Please let me know if you are interested. These groups will begin when there is enough interest.  Cost is $15/dog or $25/2 dogs from the same family.  Contact us for more information. 

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Michelle Pouliot Style Platforms

Tara demoing on a wooden platform
Larger size foam platform
We use these in freestyle classes to help teach the dog's positionals (heel, side, front, behind) and hind end awareness.  Several of you have asked about making your own platforms to use at home. 

In general the length of the box should be 3-4 inches longer and 1-2 inches wider than your dog stands when relaxed and comfortable.  The box should be no more than 2-2.5" inches in height and should be some sort of non-slip on both sides -- so that it doesn't slip on your flooring and so that your dog doesn't slip when standing on it. 




Or, if you want you can order them here: http://cdf-freestyle.com/platforms2.htm

Or here is a video on how to make your own fairly easily:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlucDKua0hA

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

PRAISE Your Puppy


PRAISE Your Puppy
Play, Reward, Arrange, Instruct, Socialize and Enrich Your Puppy

Canine Aspirations’ PRAISE Your Puppy program is based on scientific evidence and positive training techniques to help you raise the best dog possible.  A puppy that is well socialized and trained will go on to be included in many more life activities than a dog that is not trained and well-socialized.  As pet owners, we get dogs because we want them to be included in all facets of our lives.  Our PRAISE program helps make this possible.  

PRAISE is for puppies aged 8 – 20 weeks and occurs Mon – Thur from approximately 9am – 2pm.  We come to your home and pick up your puppy (and a few other canine friends) in the morning and bring them back in the early afternoon.  

A day in the life of a PRAISE puppy:
9:00am pick-up from home and car ride to Canine Aspirations
9:30am arrive at Canine Aspirations for some carefully supervised play with other dogs/puppies
10:30am private training time spent working on basic manners (e.g. sit, stay, come) and handling exercises (to prepare for grooming and veterinary visits)
11:30am car time interspersed with short walks at novel locations for socialization and training
12:30pm field trip to a novel location (such as a pet store, vet office or other dog friendly business) to work on training and socialization
1:30pm car ride and drop-off time

Concerned about socialization with your puppy not being fully vaccinated?  Here’s what the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has to say about the importance of socialization in first few months of life, “AVSAB believes that it should be the stan­dard of care for puppies to receive such socializa­tion before they are fully vaccinated.” Read their full position here: 

Play with your puppy appropriately to physically and mentally exercise them.  Play can also be used as a reward for good behavior.  Play with other dogs and puppies helps teach your dogs important life skills, like bite inhibition.  

Reward your dog for good behavior.  Rewarding your puppy from day one for the things you will expect from him for the rest of his life helps set up a dog that will learn that behaving appropriately is worthwhile. 
 
Arrange your puppy’s life to set him up for success.  Preventing bad behavior and encouraging good behavior makes fewer opportunities for bad habits to form.  Prevention of behavior issues is much easier than correcting issues later in your dog’s life.  

Instruct your dog on how to behave appropriately in all situations from day one.  If you want them to allow handling and grooming, teach them this while they are a puppy.  If you want them to be able to behave calmly in any location, teach them this while they are a puppy.  If you don’t instruct your puppy on how to behave in a certain situation, they are likely to behave in a manner you don’t like, so focus on giving them instructions from day one.  

Socialize your puppy to all the things your dog will need to deal with during its life.  Puppyhood is the time to positively introduce your pup to other dogs, people, and different environments.  Socialization is easiest in the first few months of life.   

Enrich your puppy’s life with fun games, play and training.  Use food toys and training games to mentally enrich your puppy’s mealtimes.  Rather than trying to eliminate typical dog behavior, give your dog appropriate outlets to use their doggy skills, like canine nosework for sniffing or a sandbox for digging.  Life is much easier when your dog has appropriate outlets for their normal dog attributes.  

How much does it cost?
The PRAISE program costs $50 - $60 per day depending on your location plus the cost of a weekly transfer session (an additional $70-85/week depending on location/time spent going over material).  PRAISE requires a minimum 2 day per week commitment for at least 4 weeks.    

What else is included?
Daily email updates, and weekly meetings to go over your puppy’s behavior and training with your whole family.