GM News - November 2020

We're back!

We trust you've emerged from the second lockdown hale and hearty, and we can't wait to work with you again.
Our group programs and one-to-one lessons are fully operational and ready to serve your training goals.

Amanda, Rodna, Ruth & David

T'is the Season

Grass seeds can burrow into a dog's body causing all kinds of complications. Check out Protecting Dogs From Grass Seeds & Foxtails by Dr Meredith Crowhurst, in AustralianDogLover, for

risk factors, including breeds at higher risk (I bet you'll be surprised by what breeds make the list),
prevention
symptoms and treatment.

Dr Crowhurst's key advice: "Mow your lawns after rain, before grass seeds form. If you can, try not to allow your dog to walk through seeded grasses at this time of year. And if you do, check their paws for seeds and groom them thoroughly afterwards." [Regular grooming being more effective than searching through the coat alone.]

Handling Distractions with Confidence

Come-back - Prime skill: Recall 10.00am, 15 November
Capture Attention, Ensure Success, Release focus
Control - Prime skill: Heeling 10.00am, 22 November
Move Through, Move Towards, Move Away
Calmness - Prime skill: Stay/Wait 10.00am, 29 November
Stay Still, Stay Calm
Conventions 10.00am, 6 December
Hold & Give, Mealtime Manners, Safe Car Exit

Individual Workshops - $40 each. All four workshops plus optional Ideal Dogs of Australia (IDA) Certification (10.00am, 13 December) $120
Handling Distractions with Confidence: Questions/To Sign Up - contact Amanda 0418 371 060, amanda@jenkins.net

Weird & Wonderful

Puppy Pistachio was born green. The condition is rare with a few green pups born every few years.

Can Dogs See Spirits or Sense Ghosts? Stanley Coren considers the questionin Modern Dog Magazine

Top Tip

Animal Behaviorist and author of Plenty in Life is Free, Kathy Sdao, developed the SMART x 50 Protocol (SMART standing for See, Mark And Reward Training):

When see your dog doing something cute or useful, mark the behavior
Give your dog a treat
Use up 50 tiny treats per day

Dogs do more of what they find rewarding!

Madeline Gabriel gives a great description of Kathy Sdao’s SMART x 50

Play+Train
Flexible, informal group training and instructor supervised dog-play.
For $180 participate in 12 Play+Train sessions in a six month period (we will keep a tally, so you don't have to worry about it :-)
Sundays 9.00-9.45am November – March (last session for 2020 - 13 December)
11.00-11.45am April – October
Questions/To Sign Up: contact Amanda 0418 371 060, amanda@jenkins.net