Lost all client numbers and addresses

So, I had to reformat my laptop due to a virus and backed up everything I had regarding my clients on my palm. Well, I went to sync it back in to my computer and it erased my palm so I lost everything - which is pretty much my life.

If you are a client, please email me your number, address, email and the time we are supposed to meet this week. I am so sorry...I only have less than half of my client's emails to be able to get a hold of you for your info, so if I am a no show...I am sorry in advance.

I can't believe this...I hate being late, let alone a no show. PLEASE, let me know your info as soon as possible so I can fix my mistake.

THANK YOU!

jill@thankdogtraining.com

**Just to let you know...I don't want this diary to move, so I am not going to post until I get my situation figured out...stay tuned!

Things are busy

Yep, exactly what the title says. I am going to be away this weekend, not traveling but doing an advanced course of the seminar I went to awhile back, called Landmark. Pretty much, I am going to be dealing with myself and all of my issues and will hopefully be transformed to the person that I have always wanted to be. Haha...sounds cheesy right? It kind of is, but it's also the truth.

I chose to take these courses for many reasons. However, the 2 most important things that will better my life in every single area are 1.) my communication skills and 2.) for confidence. Although, I do have to say...one thing I have always been confident in is, that's right, dog training - and I am not just saying that. Unfortunately for me, dog training is only an inkling to who I really am. So, like any human being, my other areas need some work so I am doing exactly what I need to do...going to deal with them. Maybe when I return it will be like dog training on cloud 9! I can only hope...

It should be interesting. Hopefully my clients will be able to tell once I am done (which will be Tuesday officially). My days will go from 930am-midnight everyday this weekend, I have Monday off, but have lessons and then Tuesday night I graduate from it.

For those of you that aren't familiar with Landmark...let's just say it's a life bootcamp...in a good way. I said this before...I make my clients go through bootcamp with their dog and now I am making myself go. It's only fair right?

Wish me luck!

Tags: Landmark Education, bootcamp, life

Went to the Dog Beach Today! See Pics!

All I can say is...

It's way too hot. Dog training isn't fun when it's hot. Yikes.

Q & A

Risa:
So, when it is so hot outside I just want to take like 4 showers a day because I don't like feeling sweaty. But they say you aren't supposed to wash your hair more than 1x a day because it will dry it out (making it break easier, etc). Is that the same rule for dogs? It seems like on hot days it is a natural reaction to want to hose down your doggy to keep him/her cool and happy...are there any negative effects (such as hair loss or similar) to bathing or hosing down your dog more often than normal due to the heat? In fact, how often SHOULD you bathe your dog?

Jill:
Hi Risa...You shouldn't bathe him more than once a month. Too much bathing dries out the natural oils in their coat and skin. However, if it's really hot outside and your dog looks as if he is struggling, then definitely find a tub or hose to cool him down, this won't hurt anything. Also, make sure the dog always has drinking water. Dogs don't sweat, therefore, they overheat very easily.

A very sweet dog needs a loving home...

This was an old client of mine...if you decide to give him a wonderful home, I will throw in a couple of free lessons to get you started.

Here is a description from the owner:

Max is a boxer/american bull dog mix, about 60lbs, black and white and about 5 years old. He's a lover and thinks he's a puppy and wants to lay in your lap any chance he gets. he loves water and plays in his kiddy pool or sprinklers. He likes to wrestle with other dogs and play at dog parks and go on long walks. He loves to be outside, and will follow you where every you go. He's very sad right now because his closet friend---- a rodesian ridgeback just passed away. We cant give him as much attention as he needs because we have a 2 yr old. He is in need of love and lots of cuddling.

You can email me jill@thankdogtraining.com, or the Sherrie (the owner) at sherriestyle@aol.com if you are interested.

Tags: American Bulldog, rescue dog, Boxer

Preschool presentation

Well...I discovered today that I am not going to quit my day job. Haha...meaning, I am not going to give up dog training to be a preschool teacher. I roped my sister (she has been a kindergarten teacher in South Central for 5 years) into coming and she literally saved me. I guess dogs and their families are still my specialty.

First, I went to the toy store yesterday to buy a dog puppet. This was actually Jamie's idea, and I liked it. Unfortunately they did not have any, so I bought a big stuffed dog and 3 little ones that looked exactly like it. I then went to Costco to get a big bag of treats. This was all premature being that I didn't really know what I was going to say or do anyway. However, as I have learned from my niece and nephew...presents are always good.

Last night I stayed up preparing for what I was going to talk about and Jamie actually guided me through it. I wrote an agenda and then I had little notecards with an outline of what I was going to "teach". I decided to talk about caring, training and safety around dogs. That's pretty good for 3-6 year olds, right? HA!

Today finally rolls around, even though Jamie was coming, I was still all nervous. I got up around 530am (I have to be there at 930am) to go over the things I want to say, but also because I just couldn't sleep anymore. Jamie is up around 7am and gets ready and we leave around 8am with Emmitt and our Thank Dog shirts...we looked like twins.

When we arrived (and by the way, this was probably the nicest preschool I have ever seen in my life!), Jamie and I were led into a classroom, I am a little nervous, but she is calm because this was a familiar setting for her. We originally imagined a gym or auditorium doing one presentation for 140 kids. It ended up being 4 presentations in the room, which was better for me to be honest, but it took us longer to get through.

The first group came in and the fun began.

I led the first presentation and it was TERRIBLE. I just didn't have it together whatsoever and our presentation was way too complicated for them.

The second group was AWESOME. The kids cooperated and Jamie took more of a role in this one. She made them laugh and participate, I was impressed. The only thing was that, when it looked like I was struggling, Jamie would pop in, but she felt like she was interrupting me. I didn't care that she was to be totally honest, if it were up to me, she could have done the entire thing while I only did the dog stuff, plus handling Emmitt.

The third group comes in...this was my worst performance yet. I started to talk a lot and led most of this one because Jamie didn't want to interrupt me (which I would have welcomed, she is great at what she does!). I really messed up on this one...it was right after I had already told them to tell me about their dogs-I totally forgot what was next (you would think we would own this 15 minute presentation by now), my mind was blank. So, the next logical thing to me was to ask, "Who wants to tell me about your dog?". Both Jamie and I wanted to bust out laughing after I said that. I was drowning...I mean, we just went through 5 minutes of the kids telling us about them already. It was terrible, TERRIBLE. I wasn't feeling very confident with my communication skills to 3-6 year olds. I just kept speaking words that were beyond their vocabulary and when I would catch myself, I would get all flustered. I was so glad Emmitt was a rockstar. He saved me in this one.

The last group comes in and we rocked it. Jamie took the teacher role and I took the dog trainer role. We were a team. I wish all of them went like that, we should have decided that from the beginning. She made the kids laugh constantly, the teachers were laughing and there were parents in this one and they were laughing too. Everyone was having a good time and everyone was learning. Jamie did her thing and I was doing what I do best and that was just handling and teaching them how to handle the dogs. We even got compliments at the end of it from parents who never heard dog safety the way we explained it. They actually thanked us! It was a good ending to a stressful day.

Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the experience and I wouldn't change it for anything. I am also very flattered and honored that I was chosen to do this. It was a learning experience!

My sister is my hero

Well, me, Jamie, Quinn, Emmitt and Riley had to get out of my house yesterday because we were getting it sprayed for bugs. We actually had to make it a point to be out of the house for a couple of hours. The only place we could think of that wasn't far away was of course Runyan Canyon. Wow...that was quite a mistake!

We get there and of course we are fully aware that it was 100 degrees out, so in preparation I brought extra water. To my dismay, it still wasn't enough.

Riley couldn't even make it all the way DOWN, she had to be carried in my back pack. Of course, Jamie took my bag so she could carry her, bless her heart. Anyway, when we stopped to put Riley in the back pack, that is when the first water consumptions began.

We were thinking that it was hot at this point, but we were surviving so we didn't really think about how much water we were using at a time. By the time we got down to the bottom, we had already got through the first bottle. We didn't think it was as hot at this point but Riley still couldn't walk...I tried to get her to, but she fell on her back, so, we put her back in. We decided to go up the steep side (not the hardest hike, but it's the second to hardest one), which was straight up stupid.

As we were climbing, I started to feel chills, which I know wasn't good in 100 degree weather. I overheated once before in a soccer game which 3 people had to take off my gear and water me down before I passed out. Anyway, I started to remember what that was like. Soooo, long story short, both Riley and I were really struggling, we used the rest of the water that we had and there was no shade to be found.

We got to the top (slowly) of the steep part and then I realized I really needed shade to rest for a minute-I just couldn't go any longer. I had bad chills at this point. Jamie put Riley down, the bag down and all of the leashes and ran with Emmitt and Quinn to the beginning of the hike where there was a water bucket thingy (hard to explain).

Now...this is amazing considering how hot, steep and far away from it we were. She filled up the water bottle, and came all the way back down and bathed both Riley and I in water. Wow...talk about a dedicated, loving sister!

We walked back up together (Jamie's second time walking back up there, mind you)into the air conditioned car. I love you Jamie...thanks for that! Seriously.

Tip: DON'T GO TO RUNYAN WHILE IT'S THIS HOT. There is hardly any shade and remember...dogs don't sweat.

Captain Haggerty Died

A fellow dog trainer has died. I never knew him personally, however, John Van Olden, my mentor did. We studied his books and John talked a lot about him. He was 74 and was considered a great one! I want to dedicate this thread to him...

Captain Haggerty, 74, Dog Trainer, Dog Author, Dog Cineaste

By STEPHEN MILLER - Staff Reporter of the Sun
July 17, 2006

Arthur Haggerty, who died July 3 at 74, was a charismatic dog trainer whose students went on to careers as attack dogs, guard dogs, avalanche rescue dogs, bomb-sniffers, sled-pullers, messengers, and herders.

A former Army K-9 unit commander, he established the Captain Haggerty School for Dogs on East 76th Street. There, he became known as dog-trainer to the stars; the U.N. secretary-general, U Thant, Walt Frazier, and Liza Minelli were among his clients.

At one time, Haggerty had the largest stable of rental dogs in the country, numbering some 300, with clients including Manhattan construction sites and major department stores like Macy's, Gimbel's, and Bonwit Teller. Through Captain Haggerty's Theatrical Dogs, he supplied canine talent for advertisements, soap operas, and dozens of films, as well as Sandy for the Broadway show, "Annie" (1983). He also supplied chic oncamera dogs for films shown on the Playboy Channel. (For Hugh Hefner, he trained two Old English Sheepdogs who did not appear on film.)

Over a career revolving around a fixed point marked "dog," Haggerty was a sought-after judge at dog shows; published "Aggression Newsletter," which focused on problem pets; wrote five books on dog training, dog breeds, and dog tricks,and ran a luxury kennel in Westchester he dubbed "Canine Camelot."

Oddly, for a man so devoted to furry companions, Haggerty had his head shaved cue ball clean. With his bulking 300-plus pounds on a 6-foot-3-inch frame, he had a remarkably persuasive physical presence. "I was shaking in my boots," a prominent dog journalist wrote after being buttonholed by Haggerty at the annual Dog Writers of America dinner. "I instantly understood how dogs obeyed him. I was ready to obey him."

Haggerty grew up in the Bronx in an Irish family involved in the labor movement, but his earliest memories were about dogs." I teethed on a feed pan," he told the New York Times in 1978. "I had a bitch who was bred and registered in my name before I was a year old." He began training dogs at 10 and showed terriers and boxers at 15, while attending St Nicholas of Tolentine High School.

Read More...

Down

You want to start training your dog to do the down command right away. Especially if you are working with a puppy. The reason why is because the down is a submissive position, and well, if your dog turns out to be a dominant dog, sometimes he will refuse to do it.

The way to do this with a treat is as follows:

1. Assuming he knows the sit command, you will get him to sit while you will be sitting next to him on his right side.
2. show him a really smelly treat, but don't release it, just get him into it..
3. Once he starts to want it, you will say "down", and then you will put your left hand on his back shoulders.
4. Your right hand which has the treat will move slowly straight down to the floor (his nose should be following) and then out towards the direction you want him to lie down, kind of like an L Shape. Throughout this motion, your left hand will be putting a tiny bit of pressure on his back so he knows what you want.
5. Once he follows the treat, he should have been gently pushed into the down, if he is, you will release the treat as his reward.

Tags: down command, lie down, down, basic obedience

Remember...

I offer Petsitting now. Jamie is fantastic at it, my clients love her. She took care of a cat with Diabetes and had to give him shots and pills. She did a good job, I am very pleased.

She is adding bootcamp packages too, you know, if you have to leave while starting training with me- she will continue on with bootcamp so you don't have to worry about your dog losing everything you have done.

I am very excited about our partnership!

yay Jamie!

Tags: pet sitting, dog sitting, house sitting, cat sitting

Why you shouldn't buy from a pet store

Dog buyers beware
Metro stores sell stock from breeders cited for violations
BY STEVE NEAVLING
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

The moment she laid eyes on them, Jennifer Moodie fell in love.

But a day after she paid $900 for two Yorkshire terrier pups at a Utica pet shop, one went into seizures. The pup, named Jasper, spent the next four days attached to IVs at a vet's office and died in Moodie's arms within two hours of coming home.

"His blood-sugar was so low that he had brain damage," said Moodie, 25, of Northville.

Moodie sued Utica Pet Supply, where she bought the dogs, and received her money back for Jasper in an out-of-court settlement.

Read more...

The "Off" Command

I have mixed feelings with this command. A lot of people will use it to get their dogs to stop jumping. Here is my take on it...I think it's worthless but understand why people would use it-it seems logical to have a command to get them to stop.

When dogs jump, they are excitable and sometimes overwhelming, so to me, jumping is ALWAYS unacceptable regardless of the situation. Therefore, why would you teach them a command that tells them WHEN to stop? By using this command, you are telling the dog that he can always jump UNTIL you say "Off".

The way I deal with it is by saying "NO" accompanied with a correction right when the dog jumps. I do not give a command, he automatically gets a correction to let him know that it's NEVER acceptable.

Now, when you are teaching this...this means your dog can't jump on you either. Tons of people make that mistake. They allow the dog to jump on them because it's cute to them, but when the dog jumps on someone else it's unacceptable...you can't have it both ways. It's either the dog can jump, or not. He can't distinguish when its the right time or the wrong time. BE CONSISTENT.

Tags: jumping, commands, off

Why dogs bite their owners

I got this as a forward and thought it was worth sharing...so funny.

Tags: dog costumes, halloween

Identity Crisis

Poor Quinn. She still thinks she's Riley's size. We don't have the heart to tell her otherwise...

My sister wrote about this in her blog, so I decided to steal it since they are my dogs and well, it's pretty funny.

Just wanted to wish you a happy Monday.

I have been really busy with training. I am on fire at the moment, so getting back here to write things is a little hard but I will keep checking in as I can. My goal is still to have something new everyday and so far that hasn't worked out, but just know...that is what I intend on. Haha.

Things are rocking for Thank Dog and I am very thankful. I'm at a VERY good place with my business and hope that it keeps up. See, I have always been busy, but never to the extent that I am now. I am pretty happy. Sooooo, who wants a dog trainer that's in a good mood?