Kate here!
You can see me in the above picture with one of my wild furry pals Keegan, CGN (yup he has a fancy title), an Australian Shepherd.
I caught the "training" bug when I started puppy classes at Dogsmart almost 10yrs ago. Each of my three dogs; Daizy, George, my beagles and Keegan have gone through their programs and I graduated their apprenticeship program 6yrs ago.
Happy-houndz.blogspot.com is my "training" scrapbook.
Our current loves in life are bombing around in the woods, agility, scent work, learning tons of tricks, games and our latest obsession is frisbee freestyle! My style of "training" definitely puts a new spin on impulse control and what others may consider "obedience" training.
All of my dogs training have been through positive interactions, games, and loads of their favourite things in life. We've developed a rich system of communication using lure/reward and clicker training methods. I don't even use the word "no" or "ah, ah". No need to. I'm too busy laughing, shaping behaviour or being amazed at what they offer up all on their own. Freedom to think and be creative sure has its perks!
It's been a pretty crazy ride; working through anxiety, fear, reactive issues with my guys, and fosters. Somehow people with dogs working through challenges like the stuff you see on tv, find me. We work through them by creating a peaceful means of communicating alternative behaviours. Now I get to help clients nurture their relationship.
I can't take all the credit for jump starting these classes.
Dogsmart mentors are Alice Fisher, CPDT-KA and Rita Britton, CPDT-KA , Carol Leiren, Operations Director. They are inspirational!
I'd also love to thank Dr. Tom Honey, Dr. Angela Dattolico, Leah, Deborah, Alicia, Tracey, Lara, ...wonderful, talented team at Garabaldi Veterinary Hospital, who provided me with the opportunity to help out with their Puppy Socialization Classes. Without their support, I wouldn't have thought to start this agility foundations for off leash control class.
I've attended classes and workshops with some pretty amazing behaviourists, trainers and down right beautiful people inside and out. See my links page for the line up of people I've either trained with, attended seminars and workshops with and or love their training methodology and have their books or dvd's.
I'm racking up training hours and studying to write the CPDT-KA as well. It's a certification board where by they have a strict code of ethics to ensure our favourite furry friends are nurtured using positive means to reinforce behaviours that we'd like to teach them.
I will be researching a Meet Up Group option for June 2016 in Calgary. Once I get things sorted out, researching business name and company details, I will post a blog with information.
