- Elizabeth

So where do I find the time?  How do I manage to work in teaching new skills and rehearsing old ones into every day life?

The answer depends on whether it is a skill the dog has been introduced to already, or if it brand new.  If it is brand new, I might spend 5 minutes working with the dog after dinner in the kitchen while my husband is getting my kids ready for bed – The Five Minute Introduction.  If it has already been introduced in a five minute session, we will probably never spend that long on it again.  Instead, I will work it in to my daily interactions with my dogs.

Let’s go over an example:  Sit.

So, I’ve just attended Basic Obedience, and we were walked through how to lure our dogs into a sit from a standing position.  After reading our “How Dogs Learn” handout, I know that dogs don’t generalize well… so I’m probably going to have to reteach it in a five minute session now that we’re at home.  I find five minutes when I can work, uninterrupted, with minimal distractions (for me, that five minute time is while my husband helps the kids brush their teeth… for you, that will probably be a different time – we’ll brainstorm those in a minute).  So I grab a handful of treats, do three repetitions of sit (Say “sit”, lure dog’s nose up, click and then treat when rump hits the ground) using a treat.  I move to a slightly different place in the kitchen and repeat, seeing if this time I can do a “fake out” — this time luring without a treat in my hand, but still clicking and treating for the rump hitting the ground.  Yay!  Fido is doing great. If after these six reps, I still have some time, maybe we go practice in a different room, or I practice sitting down instead of standing.  After our five minutes, we’re done and I go about life as usual.

Now that Fido has had his Five Minute Introduction to “sit” we’re going to start integrating it into life.  Next time I go to open the back door for him to go out to the backyard, I’ll grab a treat and lure him into a sit, then treat him and open the back door.  Same thing when I grab his leash for a walk, or feed him his breakfast, or dinner… you get the idea.  After a day or two of this, we can probably skip treating him, since these are tied to other rewards: access to the backyard, meals, leashing up to go for a walk, etc.  If Fido doesn’t sit, he doesn’t get to go outside… you try again a few minutes later, until he is successful.  At this point, sit is just a part of life.

The Five Minute Intro:

So when can you work a Five Minute Intro into your life?  How about when you…

• Are waiting for your coffee to brew in the morning?
• Are hanging out in the “smallest room in the house?”
• While you are getting ready for your day (treats in a jar on the bathroom counter)?
• Eat your breakfast?
• Feed your dog her breakfast?
• Are watching TV and a commercial comes on?
• Before our after your dog’s morning/evening walk?
• On your dog’s morning/evening walk?
• Are waiting for the microwave to cook a frozen dinner?
• Are waiting for water to boil to cook some pasta (you get the idea – sometime during dinner prep)?
• Have finished putting the kids down for bed?
• While you get ready for bed?
• What else can you think of…

Daily Rehearsals (or Teachable Moments):

These are times when you naturally interact with your dog and control access to a reward (food, toy, freedom, attention).  How about when you…

• Feed your dog breakfast/dinner?
• Open the back door to the backyard?
• Put on a leash?
• Take off a leash?
• Open the front door for a walk?
• Pet your dog?
• Brush/groom your dog (assuming they like this)?
• Open the door or tailgate to let your dog into the car?
• Open the car door to let your dog out of the car?
• Throw a ball?
• Allow your dog to grab a tug?
• Throw a frisbee?
• Let your dog off-leash at the park?
• Invite your dog onto the sofa/bed?
• However else you interact with your dog…

This method works for most basic obedience behaviors and tricks: sit, down, stand, stay, name, watch me, come, back up, sit pretty, spin, shake, speak, etc.  It has the added benefit of teaching your dog that living in a human house comes with some rules and expectations — and most pet dogs desperately need a little more structure in their lives.

So, no more excuses!  Find five minutes a day to work with your dog to teach him something new… then work the new skill into daily life.  Once you get the basics down, you can spend your five minutes on working on more advanced skills that will take more than one session to build before using every day (like sending to a bed, leave it, hush, etc.)

- Elizabeth

A new class starts February 15th at 7pm. For more information, go to www.kinetic-canine.com/dog-sports/performance-foundations

See you next week!

Elizabeth

We cover all the basics for Treibball: the out run, orientating towards the handler, and pushing the ball back, as well as working on off-leash obedience and focus. No previous herding experience necessary and all breeds and sizes of dogs can participate.

Dogs must be at least 9 months old, up-to-date on shots and friendly towards people and other dogs. A previous obedience class is recommended, as we will be working off-leash for some portions of class, so your dog should be able to focus on you and come when called fairly well.

Let me know if you’re interested, and feel free to pass this on to others. You can register online at the website, or email me and I will send you a registration packet.

Thanks!
Elizabeth

Upcoming classes that are now registering:

September 13th (Tues), 7pm — Basic Pet Obedience (For dogs with little or no training)

September 17th (Sat), 9am — Treibball (NEW SPORT! Harness your dog’s natural chase instincts into a controlled, focused exercise)

September 20th (Tues), 8pm — AKC Novice Obedience (Entry-level competition obedience class)

October 5th (Weds), 7pm — Basic Pet Obedience

October 5th (Weds), 8pm — Intermediate Obedience (NEW! Play games and train your dog!  Work on strengthening the basics around people and other dogs without being bored!)

October 6th (Thurs), 7pm — AKC Novice Rally Obedience (Entry-level class for rally obedience)

October 29th (Sat), 10am — Tracking for Fun! Seminar (2 hour introduction to the sport of tracking)

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We hope you can join us!  For more information, contact trainer@kinetic-canine.com or call 512-686-3050

- Elizabeth

Due to the excessive heat (we’re supposed to have a high of 106 today), class is canceled tonight.

See you next week!

Elizabeth

- Elizabeth

See you next week!
Elizabeth

Job Description:
Looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic, outgoing individual to apprentice with me and eventually run some pet obedience and sports classes at The Kinetic Canine.

The apprenticeship will last between 3 and 6 months, depending on the individual’s prior experience and learning rate, and is unpaid. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the apprentice may be hired on as a paid Independent Contractor (this is my goal). During the apprenticeship, the apprentice will be expected to complete reading assignments and written assessments, as well as practical, hands-on assignments. Some day-to-day business operations (such as handling email inquiries about classes), may also be assigned.

If successfully hired on as an Independent Contractor, the individual will be expected to teach assigned classes, handle inquiries and registrations for assigned classes, and handle currently enrolled student communication outside of class. An email address and phone extension will be assigned to the Contractor to facilitate communication. The Contractor will also be able to use the training fields to conduct private lessons whenever the field is not in use.

Minimum Qualifications
- must have strong written and verbal communication skills
- must be 18 years or older, with a high school diploma or GED
- must have a computer with daily internet access
- must have a smartphone (iPhone, Blackberry or Android)
- must have own transportation
- must be able to take instruction
- must be able to complete apprenticeship assignments in a timely manner (approximately 2 hours a week)
- must be able to work evenings and possibly some weekends (schedule will be fairly fixed – between 2 and 6 hours a week)

Preferred Qualifications
- some dog training experience (paid, volunteer, or hobby) or animal handling experience (vet tech, kennel manager, animal shelter volunteer)
- some college or higher education
- previous teaching, training, public speaking, or marketing experience

Interested individuals should send a resume and cover letter to: trainer@kinetic-canine.com