Springing Forward Into Fun Dog Events!

Hello to all of my fellow inquisitive canines and inquisitive guardians. My mom the certified professional dog trainer and human-canine relationship coach and I have been so busy with lots of exciting changes here at the office that I've been neglecting my blogging duties. Trust me, I've had lots to say, but for now I just want to drop a quick note (while mom is off the computer) and let you know about some fun and rewarding upcoming events happening here locally:

• Saturday March 13, 2010: The first annual Ventura Downtown Green Mile run/walk being presented by my good friend Josh Spiker! There are open divisions for humans and even us dogs! The race will start at 8:30am (starting line is on Main St by Cemetery Park / Lincoln school. Check in is at Mission Park, which is where the finish line will be.) The St. Patrick's Day Parade will start at 10am. Light food provided by The Greek Restaurant and Aloha Steakhouse. (OMG! Please save me some steak!!!)

• Tuesday March 16, 2010: Canine College is one of moms favorite dog manners classes. She teaches this 6-session basic dog obedience course through Ventura College Community Education. Dogs must be at least 4 months of age and owners at least 16 years old. There's also another 6-session course beginning May 4th for those that aren't able to attend this upcoming session.

I know mom is planning on running in the event this Saturday - and she's been training yours truly, so I guess that means if dad can get me out of bed early enough I'll be running it too. I wonder if Aloha Steakhouse or the Greek Restaurant will have any special prizes for us canines? Leftovers perhaps? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder.

Dog Training Demo Dog: How I'm spending my Sunday

Well, I'm off to bed...this top dog has gotta get his rest because my mom the rockin' Ventura dog trainer is starting her brand new Canine Circuit Training class tomorrow! I'm SO excited! She wants yours truly to come and demo some of the behavior stations. Dad will bring me, plus he is going to lend a hand too...

She has some of her graduates from her Inquisitive Canine good manners classes , and others from her Canine College at Ventura College Community Education. There are a few dogs that are new to the studio - I'm sure they're going to have fun too. 

Tomorrows class is FULL! But you can still register for upcoming classes - mom is offering this fun and rewarding class again July 26th and in August. You just need to check the inquisitive canine calendar. 

I wonder if I'll get to take the class too? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder.

It's back to dog training school for me!

Yippee for this lucky dog!!! I get to go back to school in January... Mom's rockin' dog training class is full!!! Wow! And that means I get to go and help her! She always brings me for orientation. As a matter of fact, I'm the only dog allowed to be there! She uses me as her "demo dog"... That's right folks, I get to be the star! But it's not about being "the star"... I just dig helping mom out...okay, I really like the attention - it's fun, it's safe, and it predicts good things for me! Cuz that's how us animals learn, right? 

Anyway, if you didn't make it into this round of classes I'm sorry I won't get to see you... There are a couple of other workshops she's having though, so you might want to get into one or both of those... Check out the calendar for all the details. 

Oh, and we have a list going - you can get your dogs name on it - if mom gets enough requests she'll add another class... or, you can come hang at the Ventura College Community Education Canine College course...

I wonder if mom will ever let me teach the class on my own? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

Pass the butter!

OMG, this is so humiliating...but not really. Just to bust a myth here, us dog's don't really "feel" the same way as you humans when it comes to "humiliation" "embarrassment" "shame" etc... there's enough of that for you all to deal with, so us dogs couldn't really care less... plus, our brains aren't developed that way... 

Why do I bring this up? That's easy... my mom the rockin' dog trainer and coach decided she wanted to "celebrate" this silly outlandish holiday you folks call "Halloween". All I know is you dress up weird and go around scaring people, knocking on doors and asking for treats!!! (uh, wait a minute... YOU ask for treats? Why are you all giving us dogs a hard time when we ask for treats...!!! I'll save that for another post...) 

   

Mom thought this would be the perfect time for me to practice my "go to your place" trick! That's one of the big behaviors she teaches in her classes at the studio and Ventura Community Education... 

The doorbell rings, I go to my little mat next to the door, she opens the door, as long as I sit still, I get a treat while the person at the door gets a treat... How easy is that? For both me and the kids at the door! This is what mom decided to dress me up in... ugh... she kept laughing, and I had this look on my face that she thought was soooo cute... But then she kept saying how she could use some melted butter... whatever... As long as I get my treats for wearing the stilly thing, I'll go along with it...I like to humor her. 

Hmm, I wonder what she'll dress me as next year? And I wonder if mom posted pictures of me on her blog too! Oh geez, what are others going to say! Something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

I "LOVE" tennis! Just like my dad!

Today was another great day! Why? because dad was playing tennis in Santa Barbara...one of my favorite places to go...My mom the dog coach had to work first - she was teaching one of her great doggy workshops at Ventura College... I believe on teaching us dogs how to walk on leash, greet you humans politely, and come to you when you call us... Well, as soon as she got home, we all headed to SB... Mom thought it would be a good idea to visit some of her friends while dad played tennis... They live near where dad was playing, and she wanted them to meet me, and vice versa... Wow! What nice people they are... plus, they're really good dog trainers too - although they probably don't realize that :-) 

You see, mom taught me this really cool behavior. She also teaches her students and their dogs this too - it's called "go to your place"... Which is the cue for me to go and sit or lie down on a little mat or rug. It gives me something to do, plus I stay out of the way...mom thinks it's annoying, getting under her feet and all. 

So we went to Linda, Jim, and Stevie's house....wow, really cool place. Huge yard for me to run amok in!!! Plus they allowed me to run around inside too - Well, as soon as Miss. Linda started cooking dinner, oh boy did I know what to do...mom taught me well, right??? You betcha, I went right over "to my place" just like at home... and Miss. Linda caught on really quickly - although she rewarded me much better than mom! She gave me all sorts of cheese samplers (she was making something called "macaroni and cheese") Man-oh-man-alive was I one lucky dog or what??? She also kept saying how good I was, and how cute I was.... all that positive reinforcement - let me tell you, mom had to drag me outta there to go home... Oh, and before you start to worry, please don't - Miss. Linda was very careful with me being so close to the stove and whatnot - she was watching out for me, making sure I was safe the whole time... 

Dad had fun too - he and his friend won their match... plus I got some ball chasing in after they were finished... Mom had a successful day with her workshop - plus she and I had fun and the Brinkman's... all in all a great day... I wonder when we're going back to visit? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

I lOVE being an "errand boy"!!!

Dad and I just got back from running errands together - mom feels kinda bad that she sends us out, but I think dad enjoys our time together... Why? Well first we get to go play on the field, (we also practice our training skills that we learned in moms classes). Then dad will hit the hardware store, or Costco, or Trader Joe's for mom...but the best best best part is dad will usually find a "treat" for us to share :-) I LOVE THAT! See? dad likes his 'rewards' just as much as me! Positive reinforcement works for all animals ya know - that's one thing I learned from mom...  

Check it out - dad decided to send mom a picture of what we were up to... tee hee...not sure if that was the smartest thing he could have done...I think she called dad "naughty", but that's okay, mom has been known to stop for "treats" herself... I wonder what mom and dads favorite treats are? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

Mom got a new job!!!

I'm so proud of my mom the dog training coach! She just landed herself a new job... Don't worry. She still has her fabulous indoor dog training studio - and is still taking private clients, and teaching classes... But now she is also teaching her Basic Manners Classes through the Ventura College Community Education programs! This is SO COOL! 

She starts tonight...and she looks really excited. I read her body language just like she reads mine...and that look she has on her face is the same as when she is, what dad calls, in a great mood! 

Maybe I'll be able to go with her once in awhile to help her out... I make a great assistant. Or, maybe dad and I can have some quality time together... I enjoy both so it should be great for me too!