Seminar on Thursday

I'm trying to ignore the fact that I have to get on an airplane on Wednesday. But the Ian Dunbar seminar starts on Thursday, so I will have reportage for you next week.

In the mean time, I am working with Franklin on his Gentle Leader. I sewed a small bit of fleece onto the snout piece so it wouldn't dig into his wrinkles. He gets treats when I put it on him, and we've walked some small distance with it. He is still getting used to it (i.e. he hates it), but he does very well with it. Nary a pull...loose leash all the way.

Becoming a professional

I just took a lookee loo at the NADOI provisional membership application. A provisional membership in NADOI is for apprentices like me. Let me tell you, it's hard. It's long. It's detailed. If this is a provisional membership, I shudder to think what the full-fledged membership entails.

But I'm going to do it. By god. NADOI is top-of-the-line for dog training instructors. Lloyd will help me with my application, I'm sure, and I'll be on my way.

Also, Franklin tried on a Gentle Leader last night and it fit! We're working on somee positive reinforcement training to gradually get him used to it. The Gentle Leader will be a huge help in our therapy team training. It's not a muzzle, by the way - it's like a horse bridle. Basically, a collar that doesn't go around the neck, but around the snout instead. The name is as it implies....a gentle way to lead a dog. Ask your dog trainer about it. It does take some instruction and training to use it, but it's well worth it. Every dog I've seen who uses one is a dream to handle. Can't wait to get going with it!

Therapy Training

Franklin and I will be embarking on the Delta Society's Pet Partners home study training course. I think it's time for a new challenge for myself and the poopy dog. He did very well in Cleveland during Labor Day for my Grandma's 100th birthday. My Grandma is, as her age suggests, not very mobile and slightly frail. Franklin was curious about her, and very friendly. Most of the time he is a bit shy with new people, but with my Grandma he was wide open.

Therapy dogs provide valuable emotional support for the elderly and sick children. Studies have shown that exposure to dogs reduces stress in most people, and they take people's minds off their illnesses. Therapy dogs are often used with autistic children, who sometimes show openess and emotions around the animals that they have trouble expressing with humans.

I think this will be an excellent opportunity for me, and Franklin will have exposure to all kinds of people.

Wish us luck!

TV Show to Air on Oct 3

I hope to have a YouTube link to Your Dog's Best Friend after the show airs tomorrow. That is, if I can figure out how to do it. And if it's not too embarassing.

All is well in dogland. The class with my parents in attendance went very well & they were duly impressed with Lloyd's teaching.

I have been sick for most of the last week, so I didn't attend class this past weekend. I won't be at class this coming weekend because of a wedding in Connecticut. We had planned on stopping in Atlantic City on our way home for some much-needed gaming, but as it looks like Franklin will be with us, that is out.

Business idea: dog-friendly casino!

I leave you with an image of the animals in my household interacting. Well, this is as close as they come!