Look What I Can Do - Delaware Dog Classes

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Delaware Dog Class Fees and Policies
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 NEW SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS LISTED BELOW CLASSES.

*****SEE INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS BELOW CLASS LISTINGS.  *****

**Bridget CGC qualified in AKC Rally Novice A Obedience on May 17th, Leesport PA, on her first Rally Leg; she had a qualifying score of 87/100 and a second place ribbon.  *** Bridget attained RN (Rally Novice) title on June 26th in Bel Alton MD, and had a score of 96/100 on the next day of competition. **RALLY ADVANCED** title attained 2/10/20 at De Valley Chinese Crested Club trial, Academy of Dog Training, Newark DE. Score 95/100, 2nd place. Onwards and upwards! Rally Novice lessons available.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RALLY

**Classes at Rainwood are conveniently located for areas of Elkton, Chesapeake City, Earleville and Galena MD, as well as Glasgow, Bear and Middletown DE. Also within a reasonable drive for communities surrounding Oxford PA.

**NEW** GOOD MANNERS FOR REAL LIFE, BEGINNING TUESDAY July 27th, 8 PM, RAINWOOD KENNELS, ELKTON MD.  No Time Like Present for Good Manners! MAXIMUM OF 6 DOGS (session underway)
This session will be 7 weeks, and  is for puppies 3 months and older, and dogs of any age. A full range of polite behaviors will be taught, to ensure that living with your pet is a pleasure. First class is without dogs, for purposes of human education and demonstrations, and will be one and one-half hours: remaining classes will be one hour and with all dogs present.  A maximum of 6 dogs is allowed to give ample opportunity for individual instruction. Postive methods are used. No choke chains or prong collars. Fee $120.See Registration instructions posted below classes. Call 443-350-6820 with any questions.    Bridget CGC RN and myself look forward to seeing you there.

**NEW** ADVANCED OBEDIENCE  /Introducing Nose Work (and other fun stuff) Stay posted for New Fall Dates.Will also be set up to accept drop ins as able, with prior registration.

This 6 wk course will be for dogs 6 months of age and up, that have graduated from a foundation skills class. Dogs should be able to: sit/stay 30 seconds, loose leash walk, basic recall and concept of attention. This class will focus on: working towards reliable OFF LEASH, RECALL and STAYbehaviors, with increased distractions, and introduce NOSE WORK, a wonderful popular way to interact with your pal. . Canine Good Citizen skills will also be practiced.  As weather permits, portions of class will be held outdoors on lovely country grounds. This class will appeal to those who love to hike with their dogs, and will be a wonderful segue` into formal obedience competition, including Rally and Agility. Reliable and advanced foundation behaviors are necessary for the latter. Canine Good Citizen testing information will be made available as well. Maximum of 6 dogs, register early!! Positive methods, no choke chains or prong collars allowed.

****NEW***  GOOD MANNERS FOR REAL LIFE, BEGINNING THURSDAY August 12th, 8 PM,  RAINWOOD KENNELS, ELKTON MD.  No Time Like Present for Good Manners! MAXIMUM OF 6 DOGS This session will be 7 weeks, and  is for puppies 3 months and older, and dogs of any age. A full range of polite behaviors will be taught, to ensure that living with your pet is a pleasure. First class is without dogs, for purposes of human education and demonstrations, and will be one and one-half hours: remaining classes will be one hour and with all dogs present.  A maximum of 6 dogs is allowed to give ample opportunity for individual instruction. Postive methods are used. No choke chains or prong collars. Fee $120.See Registration instructions posted below classes. Call 443-350-6820 with any questions.    Bridget CGC RN RA and myself look forward to seeing you there.(No class Thursday August 26th, Instructor on vacation)

 ***NEXT**CGC TESTING DATE TBA WED. Rainwood Kennels, Elkton MD. Fee: $20. Dogs will be tested in order of arriving and signing in. Advance notice please if you are planning on attending: 443-350-6820.  

Practice sessions need not be taken to register for the CGC test. Confirmation of intention to take CGC test should be done by calling 443-350-6820/emailing lookwhaticando@zoominternet.net

Test will be organized and conducted by AKC CGC Evaluator Leslie Fisher. Dogs that have attended  practice sessions will be handled and tested for supervised separation by a qualified stranger. Fee for CGC test will be $25.00, payable at time of test by check or cash.

Dogs will be tested in the order of which they arrive and sign in. Bridget CGC RN and myself look forward to meeting you!

 For complete information on Puppy Socialization, as recommended by AVSAB, including vaccine recommendations, go to:http://tinyurl.com/5wvtd2 (copy and paste) or go to NEWS page and click on the link.  Get your puppy off on the right paw. Early training reaps huge dividends. Registration process as outlined above, call 443-350-6820, Look What I Can Do! Dog Training,serving Cecil County MD, Newark and Bear De, Havre de Grace and Bel Air Md, as well as Nottingham, Oxford, New London, West Grove and Lincoln University PA.

REGISTRATION

 Too busy for daily training sessions?  Let Look What I Can Do! provide daily training in your home, meet with you weekly for a "here`s what we know" session, and leave you with a well trained dog upon completion. Call 443-350-6820 to find out how Look What I Can Do! can do for you.

**BOARD and TRAIN****:
Until recently, I have not been in a position to accomodate requests for Board and Train.  Since I am now regularly teaching Delaware Dog classes at Rainwood Kennels and just about live there anyways, this is something I could certainly now offer as an option.  Rainwood Kennel is very conveniently located minutes away from the Bear Delaware Rt. 40 corridor.  Look What I Can Do! will consult with you, determine your training goals and go about achieving them with positive reinforcement methods.  You will be taught the why, how, when and where upon pick-up of your dog to ensure long term behaviors.  Call 443-350-6820 for more details.  Kennel arrangements can be made separetly at 410-398-1398.

DIRECTIONS TO RAINWOOD: 377 Hutton Road, Elkton MD 21921

 From Rt. 40 and 213 intersection in Elkton MD, go South on 213 for 1.2 miles, then turn left onto FRENCHTOWN ROAD. Proceed East 1.6 miles to Hutton Road and turn right.  In 0.4 miles you will see the blue Rainwood sign on right: turn right here and follow dirt road through trees to clearing.  Large two story building is on the left.

NEW HALL OF FAME PHOTO GALLERY

Have fun exploring pictures in the albums and my own personal pictures. To enter, click on Hall of Fame far right.  To open an album, simply click on the picture of the album title page. That will open up to the rest of the pictures.  Hope you have as much fun viewing as I did taking pics and adding captions.  Check out the NEW album of PEACEABLE PAWS and PAT MILLER SHAPING CAMP. 

 LOOK WHAT I CAN DO QUALIFICATIONS

ABC ANIMAL BEHAVIORAL COLLEGE STUDENT MENTOR:

Recently Leslie Fisher was interviewed by an area Coordinator from the ABC Dog Training School, and was contracted to begin mentoring ABC students in the final, hands on phase of their training. One student is already currently observing Good Manners Classes at Rainwood Kennels in Elkton, MD. Leslie views the mentoring process as a long term committment, in efforts to continue showing positive reinforcement training to be effective and permanent training solutions. Teaching and sharing knowledge is an activity greatly enjoyed by Leslie Fisher

RALLY NOVICE A PREP-COURSE CERTIFICATE

In April of 2009, Leslie Fisher and American Lab Bridget CGC, completed a series of private rally lessons with Ruth Chase of Coventry Dog School, Columbia MD. Sessions focused on precision for Novice Rally A skills, learning to walk a course, interpret signs and general handler skills. Bridget and I benefited enormously from the wonderful one-one time with Ruth Chase, a skilled observer, Trainer, and Competitor. Although a date is not yet established, Leslie Fisher does plan to begin instruction in AKC Rally Novice A during the summer of 2009, at Rainwood Kennels, Elkton MD. A brand new set of rally equipment is already on premises and being used.

PAT MILLER CERTIFIED TRAINER:Leslie Fisher graduated from all three of PAT MILLERS Internships, Instructors Level 1, Behavior Modification and Instructors Level 2. Each internship was 6 days long and a combination of hands on training and classroom work, including assignments and exams. PAT MILLER is a nationally known dog trainer, presenter of seminars, author of books on Positive Dog Training , the Training Editor for Whole Dog Journal and is on the Board for APDT. She works tirelessly to improve the lives of dogs through education and is the training editor for Whole Dog Journal. She is the owner of PEACEABLE PAWS, in Hagerstown MD.

AFFILIATE OF PEACEABLE PAWS: Affiliation with the business of PAT MILLER is only available to those who achieve a level of exellence at a Level 2 Internship, such as Leslie Fisher did during Instructors Level 2. Affiliation carries with it, access to PAT MILLER, her outstanding articles, and use of her business name in all advertising. Affiliates must sign a legal and binding contract to promote through education POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT DOG TRAINING, and agree to not use  aversive methods in training. A standard is also set for CLASSES by not allowing the use of prong, choke or electric-shock collars.

PAT MILLER CERTIFIED TRAINER : Peaceable Paws Interns who have graduated in good standing from three INTERN ACADEMIES are granted CERTIFICATION.

MEMBER APDT: American Pet Dog Trainer, an organization that is committed to improving the lives of dogs and promoting use of positve training methods nationwide.  Also published Chronicle of the Dog for APDT members.

MEMBER TRULY DOG FRIENDLY   A group whose definition of positive dog training is pain free.  Visit www.trulydogfriendly.com  to join a yahoo chat, read great articles, find a dog trainer and get great information from people dedicated to making the lives of animals better.

MEMBER: MAAPPPT (Mid-Atlantic Association Positive Professional Pet Trainers) , a regional group dedicated to promoting methods of safe and positive dog training.

AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN EVALUATOR:Leslie Fisher has passed an exam that allows her to evaluate dogs for the award of Canine Good Citizen, and promotes behaviors as such in all her classes.

SEMINARS: On Canine Body Language, Canine Behavioral Evaluation, Fearful Dogs, and Clicker Training. PRESENTERS: Kathy Sdao MA CAAB, Sarah Kalnajs CPDT CDBC, Dr. Roger Abrantes, PhD in Evolutionary Biology and an Ethology, DHC MAPBC, Nicole Wilde CPDT. Leslie Fisher is committed to continuing her education to provide excellent service to her clients. Plans are being made to attend the annual APDT conference in Louisville Kentucky, and at that time, write the national certification exam for CPDT. 

ONGOING EDUCATION AT PEACEABLE PAWS: 

Most recently Leslie Fisher completed a 3 day SHAPING CAMP at Pat Millers` PEACEABLE PAWS, improving observation skills, clicker skills, setting and achieving criteria and,practiced achieving a final behavior by shaping  successive approximations of offered behaviors. Her American Lab Bridget learned a series of new behaviors: plans are being made to introduce SHAPING to the LOOK WHAT I CAN DO! classes. Leslie Fisher also worked at a REACTIVE ROVER CAMP, as a Camp Counsellor at PEACEABLE PAWS, and was responsible for working directly with teams of dogs and owners  during counter conditoning exercises, advancing exercises where appropriate, monitoring responses of dogs, and directing dog/owner traffic safely to and from the training center.

SOLE TRAINER at RAINWOOD KENNELS:

Leslie Fisher works closely with Mary Thompson, owner of Rainwood Kennels, near Bear De, to offer interesting and effective DOG TRAINING CLASSES using CLICKER TRAINING and POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT.  The mainstay class is a 7wks long GOOD MANNERS PROGRAM, teaching crucial foundation pet dog behaviors. However, new 3 week FOCUS SESSIONS are being offered as an alternative to folks that wish to improve upon trouble areas. Mary Thompson owned, bred and successfully showed IRISH SETTERS for 30 years, and is putting her excellent dog and people skills to use in the operation of this business. LOOK WHAT I CAN DO! and RAINWOOD KENNELS are proving to be a great team and we enjoy a great and mutually beneficial business relationship. 

VOLUNTEER: www.lab-rescue.com, doing post adoption home checks.

READING:Leslie Fisher has an extensive library of Dog Training books on a wide variety of subject and has read them all! She continues to read and add to her collection. Reading at the moment Patricia McConnell: For the Love of a Dog, and Pam Dennison: How to Right a Dog Gone Wrong.  All time favorite: Nicole Wilde, Help for Your Fearful Dog. Leslie has a particular interest in working with fearful dogs, and as such, has worked with extremely fearful rescued Greyhounds. RESCUED and ADOPTED DOGS are eligible for discounted training fees, to support my philosophy of reducing animal over-population in an acceptable and benevolent way. Visit www.dogwise.com for your training resource.

SUBSCRIPTIONS:Whole Dog Journal, Chronicle of the Dog, The Bark Magazine and Your Dog. 

A BIT MORE ABOUT CLICKER TRAINING

Clicker training is a form of Classical Conditioning, where the dog recognizes that the click= a treat immediately forthcoming, for correctly performing a requested behavior.  It is remarkably effective; the dog learns that his behavior makes the click happen..........or not! The clicker, and food reinforcement are only used to teach new behaviors.  Once behaviors are fluent, the clicker is no longer needed, and the dog need only be reinforced occasionally with a treat, or another reinforcer, such as going outside, having a toy thrown, or being petted.  In the beginning though, a primary reinforcer such as food is the most powerful motivator going, so we use that to out advantage. Contrary to what many people think, dogs don`t work because they love to please; dogs do what works for dogs.  If a dog is being reinforced for a behavior, then that behavior is  working for the dog.  A BEHAVIOR THAT IS REINFORCED IS A BEHAVIOR THAT WILL BE REPEATED, take it to the bank!!! MAILMAN SYNDROME: Every day your dog barks at the mailman and the mailman goes away, every day.  That behavior worked. It works every day. In your dog`s mind, he is firmly convinced that his barking is driving away the mailman. So this behavior continues to escalate! This is where fence running comes in as well.

A firm belief of Look What I Can Do! is that owners and dogs should be trained together as a team from the outset. Your relationship with your puppy/dog will be much better for providing reinforcment every day as you train. You will be amazed and proud of your dog as you see behaviors evolving.  It only takes three or four ten minute sessions a day to make training progress.  In general, dogs do better with more frequent but shorter training sessions. So yes, you CAN do it!

SMALL CLASS SIZES FOR A REASON!

Look What I Can Do! purposely limits class sizes to six dog and owner teams, in keeping with philosophies of dog training. This business is dedicated to teaching owners about dog behavior, and that is best served with a small class, where I can remark on observations as they occur.  I will say things such as, " did everyone notice how Fido reacted to that hard stare that Rover gave him?"  As behaviors occur in the class, I will use them to teach.  Every dog owner should be aware of at least some dog body language. My mission is not just well behaved dogs, but to also teach and educate owners. If a dog owner walks out of my class room without learning about that hard stare, I have not done my job!

PRIVATE and GROUP GOOD MANNERS CLASSES

Whatever the most convenient for you, Look What I Can Do! has it!  Private in-home visits comprise a large portion of this business, as well as the Group Good Manners Classes. If there is a Behavior Problem best addressed in the home, Look What I Can Do! can do it!  See SERVICES for a complete description of how I can help your dog or puppy! Click on Contact ABOVE  to get in touch with  Look What I Can Do!, and find out more about INDIVIDUALIZED PACKAGES, to serve every training need.   I look forward to hearing from you!

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