Maddie• A 9 month Cocker Spaniel

Maddie C. worked with me for 2 weeks in Board & Train. She is a 9 month Cocker Spaniel. I watched her learn obedience that started in the Canine College and progressed to working over the whole complex. I could see how excited as we were about to leave and go outside. We would practice long sits at doors that were closed at first then open. I would watch as she listens to birds and other sounds and scents as I maintain and praise her just being able to sit still with all this stimulus. This is using the obedience she has just learned to be able to then absorb while in a calm state of mind. Doors have been something to explode through so this is a great place to draw the line and practice Maddie following me. If I cannot control her here I won't have better results in the dog park. I want to practice in areas that get her more praise and fewer corrections to comply with my wishes. This is just the start and needs to be reinforced daily at home along with practicing in group which would be less stimulating each session.

One Half of the Oscar Mayer team

Here I am in the isle of the Best Friends Pet Motel in Prairie View. I have half of the Oscar Mayer duo with me.  I have had him for 2 weeks of board & train.  He started off shy and would not take food.  Well that's not a problem any more.  He loves spending time with me.  We began in the Canine College which is where the group classes are held.  It is a good place to bond and introduce the game of obedience.  Once this is accomplished we practice and perfect around the 6 plus acre facility.  We have made it to the lobby where we can practice with a higher level of distraction.  In this first video we are adjusting and working together in a narrow isle.  I do have dogs adjust to me all the time and everywhere especially if in a new area or room.  I never walk into a room following a dog. 
Now here we are in an even tighter area next to some racks for food.  Again watch Mayer adjust as I turn to the right or the left. 



The only thing that could be more fun would be to do this with 2 Dachshunds , my  buddy Oscar and his partner Mayer.  Maybe the next visit to the Best Friends Pet Motel I'll be able to work both.  Allan

Here comes Cathi & Jazzy & Lefty

Jazzy, RL1X (AOE), CGC, is a four year old Shih Poo who adores every person she meets. For most, the feeling is mutual. She began attending Allan’s Intermediate classes a few years ago and they were so much fun that she kept dragging her mom, Cathi, back for more. Under Allan’s guidance, she perfected the skills needed to earn her Canine Good Citizen title.

Jazzy really enjoys her classes because Allan’s creativity makes them fun for the dogs. Cathi enjoys them too because Allan’s sense of humor makes them fun for the handlers. The classes are an opportunity to witness Allan’s talent for working with all different types of doggy personalities and developing well behaved companions. Still, Jazzy wanted to know, “What’s next?” The answer: APDT Rally Obedience! Allan helped Cathi teach Jazzy all the right moves. In her first competition, Jazzy received her Level One title, earning second place her very first time in the ring. She also received APDT’s Award of Excellence for scoring 190 or better in her first three runs. After only two trials, she earned a place on the 2009 APDT National Rankings. In her third trial, this talented canine was awarded her Level One championship and received two perfect scores of 210. In her short career, Jazzy has been awarded five First Place ribbons and multiple other placements. Once again, the clever All American wanted to know, “What’s next?” That’s easy! Her wonderful trainer will work with her mom to teach her all she needs to know for Level Two and, eventually, Level Three. For this little cutie, the sky’s the limit!

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You’ve hear the expression, “Rally to the Rescue”? This is a case of The Rescue to Rally. Lefty, RL1X (AOE), CGC is a four year old Australian Cattle Dog/Boxer mix once so terrified of humans that he would lose control of bodily functions if anyone paid attention to him. He spent most of his time cowering in his crate or under the nearest table. How does a dog like this survive in a world filled with humans? The answer is training! His mom, Cathi, had been taking Allan’s classes with her other dog, Jazzy, for quite some time. After adopting Lefty, she knew Allan could advise her on the proper training techniques for this – or any – type of dog. Lefty still has a long road to travel, but he’s doing it with a lot less baggage these days. Although still shy, Lefty has gained enough confidence to begin competing in APDT Rally Obedience. In his first competition, he earned his Level One title in three out of three runs. His scores were respectable enough to earn the Award of Excellence. In ten out of ten tries, Lefty was awarded his Level One championship. He’s even earned a few placement ribbons and scores as high as 208 and 206 out of a possible 210. A successful Rally career lies ahead for LEFTY...and that couldn't’t be more RIGHTY.

Bella• St. Bernard at 9 months in first week of board & train

Bella is a very playful St. Bernard that I had the pleasure to work with for a week in board and train. She has good food and ball drive. At first she was a little shy but soon wanted me to take her out every time she saw me. We started in the Canine College where I also hold obedience and rally classes. She caught on quickly so we were able to spend time socializing and desensitizing around our 6 plus acre facility. We practiced in the courtyard with dogs barking and being walked. We worked in the main building which is full of people working, dropping off dogs to stay in the hotel, or into grooming department. I asked Bella to "sit" or "down" and watch the cats play in the Young at Heart shelter in our lobby. Being able to practice in real life situations builds confidence in the dogs I'm working around strangers and new things and a lot of fears and aggression goes out the window as they learn manners and increase thresholds in social situations.

Beckham • Miniture Schnauzer 7 months

Beckham is a delightful 7 month miniature Schnauzer. I had him for a week of board and train. At first he had issues with socialization and quite a few areas he was afraid to walk. We started by bonding while working on foundation obedience. Luckily he has great food drive which helped to distract him in worrisome situations. When dogs look at me and take food I find they are in a calm state and can absorb stimulation without wanting to avoid or go to flight. Initially he had issues with heaters, shadows, fans, almost anything new. The more we worked the more easily he was able to keep moving. By practicing the things that were new became old and I watched him go from being shy to quite the opposite. It is easier to calm him down now that he is moving forward. Some people think when their dog does not come that they are being disobedient but if you look at the bigger picture you might be standing next to something they are afraid to be near. I've seen where dogs will not come in after going potty if the dominant dog is inside first. Or the opposite when a dog will not potty outside because the dominant dog owns the yard. I do not see being submissive or shy as happy and it is our job to help a dog get over issues allowing for a happy and less fearful life. I think there are more bites by shy dogs that feel cornered than by aggressive dogs. By helping to socialize we can keep problems from occurring. I'm happy to say Beckham's owner plans to continue in the group classes.

2009 APDT Rally Rankings

CONGRATULATIONS!

Cathi Overend and her dog Jazzy have just made the APDT list of the 2009 National Rankings for RL1 Rally Obedience. This after only competing in 2 shows! A job well done Jazzy, we are proud! For those interested in Rally, please feel free to call me. Classes will be starting here at Best Friends Pet Care Saturday Jan. 9 at 11a.m.

Onslow CGC RL1•Pivot L&R/Pivot L&R 1 Step

RALLY CLASSES HAVE BEGUN AT BEST FRIENDS Saturdays at 11a.m.

Onslow R. is just a delight to spend time with. When his mom is out of town she prefers board and train. Mom has worked him regularly in group class and they have improved so much they have begun to compete in APDT rally. Rally classes have begun on Saturdays at 11 a.m.

Onslow•Obedience Pattern in the Lobby

Onslow is a delightful Goldendoodle that is fortunate enough to have a mom that lets him spend time while she is on vacation in board and train. Never would she have realized that his training would become a part of their life. There are private lessons while she is in town that she brings her 11 year old Great Pyrenees just to watch. There have been intermediate and advanced group classes. They have gotten so good a natural progression was rally classes which start for the public on January 9,2010. They passed in their first event. In one weekend they passed 4 tests and now Onslow•CGC•Rl1

Onslow•Pivot Left 180

Onslow CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Rl1 (Rally level 1) Not bad for a wild out of control Goldendoodle. Started with board and train then intermediate and advanced group classes, private lessons and now rally obedience classes which will start Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 11 a.m. They passed twice on Saturday and twice on Sunday and earned a Rally level 1 title in their first try at an APDT event. Congratulations.

Onslow•Left 180 & Left About Turn

Onslow is a delightful Goldendoodle I've had the pleasure to work with. Here we are in the lobby where we are practicing obedience off of the leash. We do a tight u-turn to the left and a left about turn which is where I turn into the dog and he goes the opposite way. Onslow has begun to compete at rally obedience. He passed his first four APDT rally obedience events. Congratulations to him and his owner who never thought she would be proudly competing in dog trials.

Deer Intruder

I have had many types of requests through out my years as a dog trainer. From simply "can you help my dog to stop barking" to "I need my dog to protect the house". Protection work is not my main focus,I prefer the fun of Rally, and Obedience Training. More rewarding, for both myself and the dogs. They are just like kids they get very happy when they know they have done well and accomplished what was expected. Back to the Protection side of training. In most cases people simply want their dog to learn to be more aware of their surroundings. To be able to bark and scare an intruder off. An intruder being the human kind that is! In a recent episode of Fox News they spoke of a neighbor calling the local police department because she heard loud noise coming from her neighbor's house, her neighbors were on vacation. When the police arrived they saw the back door open, and cautiously entered the home where they saw furniture all knocked over, and things from shelves on the floor. Upon further search they came to realize the intruder causing the big scene really meant no harm he just wanted to go back home. It was a misguided deer! The officers were finally able to chase the deer out of the home and back into the forest,his real home! To everyone out there keep in mind we can teach our dogs to protect our, their, home but not in every case! Any animal in an unfamiliar place is bound to be scared and slightly agitated. In any situation where you and or your pet come into close range with a animal you are best to leave it alone. You can contact your local animal control if the animal is injured.

Cat Training

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks. OOPS! I mean an old cat new tricks! You got it, I said cat. Sorry folks I will definitely leave this training up to Gregory Popovich. Board and Train, Canine Good Citizen, Rally all those fun dog training classes at Best Friends are what I'll stick to! I tell you I give this man credit, that has got to take a ton of patience. Gregory comes from a long line of circus performers so he is used to the hard work, and truly has a love for what he does. He gets all of his dog and cat actors form local animal shelters and pet rescues. He has a regular show in Las Vegas, Comedy Pet Theater. You can read more about his show in the Sun Times, or you can check out his book "You Can Train Your Cat". (St. Martin's Griffin)