Holiday Gift Boutique a Benefiting Ventura Humane Society Sunday November 15th

The Inquisitive Canine is happy to report that we will be hosting our second annual Holiday Gift Boutique benefiting our local Ventura County Humane Society. It was such a success last year, weve decided to have it again!

A few details of the event:

• Date: Sunday, November 15, 2009
• Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
• Place: The Inquisitive Canine Training Studio 2159 Palma Drive, Suite D, Ventura CA 93003

Each vendor will be donating a percentage of their sales to the Ventura County Humane Society. Participants include:

• Building Bright Minds (childrens books)Decorative Gourds
• Custom Wind Chimes
• Passport Pearls
• Pampered Chef with Patti Brown
• Tastefully Simple
• Custom Knitwear
• Mexican Crafts
• Arbonne products
• Home Accessories and Gifts by Mock Orange
• Out of the Box Dog Training Game - the ideal gift for all dogs and their humans!

The Inquisitive Canine store items will also be on sale for this event - great time to purchase holiday gifts for your canine companions! We look forward to seeing you there!

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This Ventura Dog Trainer Takes Her Own Advice

For the past month or so this Ventura dog trainer has been spending more time training her own dog Poncho to "run" while on leash, versus sniffing/marking/shuffling along... I know he is a dog, and dogs enjoy doing those things. I would never ever want to deny Poncho his normal doggy-like behaviors, but I also want him to get some exercise - outside of the yard - that doesnt involve fetching his toys and going nuts when the mail-truck comes by...(yep, that behavior is a tough one, and another post...) 

My hubby (Ponchos rockin "Disneyland" dad) takes him out all the time here in Ventura, but he allows Poncho does whatever he wants...again, no real "training" involved. So how can I expect Poncho to know what to do when neither of us has ever taught him.... So I did, and I have to say, its been going great! Being a runner myself, its been very rewarding for me... were working up to a 5K to run together...if we can find a course that allows dogs... Santa Barbara is usually good for this...Ill have to check with the Santa Barbara Running Club. 

Anyway, I had realized that Poncho wasnt great at running on leash, because hes never been trained to do so! I always tell my students, "if your dog isnt performing a certain behavior, ask yourself Have I ever taught them? " Duh! Hello? No, I havent taught him! Maybe I should!!! Poncho loves when I listen to what I tell my own manners class students... And so I have, and were progressing quite nicely. 

This is how Ive done it:

• Reward what I want: in this case, its "running" next to me. 
• "Click and treat" for "running" motion. 
• Feed for position: provide the reward with him still next to me, not falling back behind me or crossing in front of me. 
• Use high value rewards: chicken, leftover grilled sirloin. Only when hes in running mode. 
• Use kibble for walking but moving forward...
• Allow sniff breaks here and there (so I can rest)... 

If you ever want to join me and Poncho, weve mostly been going to Kimball Park here in Ventura because there are very few interruptions and loose dogs. Ill be the one rewarding my dog for running - cheering him on and handing out goodies - sort of like the aid stations at races, but instead of Gatorade and energy gels, I hand out chicken... Geez, I hope they have meat at the races... muffin crumbs work too. 

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Dog Trainer in Ventura Hits YouTube!

Well folks Ive made onto YouTube! Thanks to Nathan Weiner and Tree in a Box Productions (gotta love the name!) I am on film! very exciting indeed...just click on the link and check it out for yourself!

 

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Reasons Why This Ventura Dog Trainer Loves Her Private Training Clients

I just had one of those awesome private dog training clients today! The kind that just makes me love my profession even more than I already do. The reason I love going to "work" (Really? This is "work"?), even on a Saturday afternoon. 

This very nice couple recently adopted an adult dog from a California Animal Shelter. Just like my own Poncho the Dog, this dog came with a few "issues" - but hey, come on, we ALL come with "issues" right? We all bring some sort of baggage into each and every one of our relationships. Anyway, this dog, who was very sweet, did have a few things these nice dog folks wanted to help "fix". How great is that? Not only do they adopt an adult dog, but they take one with "special needs", and then want to try and help this sweet pooch work through them. Talk about selfless. 

The other nice thing? The gentleman was concerned when he came to todays session. He had admitted that he was thinking that I, this certified pet dog trainer, was going to give him the same information that he had kept hearing elsewhere. Either by other trainers, or books, or other people. And that the training steps were going to be complicated, or not make much sense. 

Well, it seems he was pleasantly surprised! He told me that not only did the info I shared make sense to him but that the training steps were simple, and easy for him to use in his already busy daily life. He also confirmed what I was saying made perfect sense! Now theyre so excited about wanting to work with their dog, that theyre motivated enough so they can come to some of my upcoming dog training classes and workshops. 

Wow! How is that for positively reinforcing?! (I mean for me!) Quite a rewarding afternoon for yours truly. Cant wait to see them out in public practicing those newly acquired skills! 

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Upcoming Dog Activity Options in Ventura Mutt March Madness Headed our Way

This March brings lots of fun choices for you and your dog. The Inquisitive Canine will start it off with a dog social for your puppy or younger smaller dog (up to 12 months and 25 pounds), followed by a leash walking workshop for dogs of all ages. Then theres our popular Canine College for learning good manners, and finally the St. Patricks Parade Ventura Dog Mile event in downtown Ventura!

Each one provides mental and physical stimulation, so come join in for one or for all of these fun and rewarding activities! Heres a little breakdown of each one:

Social for Puppies & Small Younger Dogs Sunday March 7th, 1:00 - 2:00 PM Puppies learn by exploring their environments and by being exposed to new stimuli - including people and other dogs. While it is important to introduce your puppy to new situations and encourage social behavior, it is also important to provide positive and pleasant experiences that won’t overwhelm and stress out your dog. Puppy Play Groups help you raise a well-adjusted and healthy dog by providing a safe and relaxed environment for your young pup to socialize and play. Your puppy will burn energy while learning how to make friends and investigating new sights, sounds, and smells. The positive experiences that your puppy has during this critical socialization period will have a long-lasting influence on your dog’s developing confidence and sociable temperament. Puppy Socials are for all puppies 10 weeks to 5 months old. However, small dogs up to 25 pounds and 12 months in age are also welcome. Cost: $10.00 advanced registration (by Thursday March 4th) $15.00 at door. Social is one hour. See our website to register, and for policies and safety guidelines. You may contact us directly for additional information. Please provide us with current copy of vaccination records if you are a new student. You may fax a copy to our office: 805.650.8501 or bring with you. _______________________________________________________________________________ Teach Your Dog to Walk Nicely on Leash Sunday March 7th, 3:00 - 4:15 PM This 75 minute workshop for you and your dog covers everything from equipment, simple techniques and training steps that will make walking your dog more enjoyable for everyone. Cost: $20.00 per dog if registered by Thursday March 4th, $25.00 thereafter. $30.00 same-day registration. Workshop is for all dogs who are comfortable around other dogs and people while on leash. Check The Inquisitive Canine website for additional information and toregister, or to contact us. *Perfect class to get your dog ready for the Ventura Downtown Green Mile on March 13th! A current copy of your dogs vaccination records is required at the time of sign-up. You may fax a copy to our office: 805.650.8501 or bring with you. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ St. Patricks Day Parade Dog Mile Run/Walk An exciting mile run or walk event in Downtown Ventura taking place on Saturday March 13th before the St. Patricks Day Parade. To register for event, please see the Ventura Mile website. For additional information on this fun and exciting event, please click here! (Our Loose Leash Walking workshop on March 7th is the perfect way to prep your pooch for this event!) Canine College With Ventura College Community Education Class is filling quickly ~ Register now! Day of week: Tuesdays Time: 5:30 - 6:30 PM Dates: March 16, 2010 - April 27, 2010 (note: no class April 20th!) Cost: $69.00 for series Location: 71 Day Road - patio area Registration is directly through Ventura College Community Ed online or call (805) 654-6459 Contact Ventura College or The Inquisitive Canine for additional information

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Dog Training Workshop Ventura Community Canine College! Oct 18

The holidays will be here before you know it - is your dog holiday-ready yet?

No matter what the season or whatever your reason, its always a good time to invest in creating a better relationship with your dog!

Teach your dog to walk on a loose leash, greet others politely, and come when called!

Join my  power workshop for you and your dog at Ventura College Community Education

DOG TRAINING WORKSHOP 

Saturday October 18th 

1:00 - 2:30 PM

Location: Ventura College, 71 Day Road

Please contact Ventura College Community Ed directly for details and to register.

Plus, check out the Inquisitive Canine Dog Training calendar for updates!

The Inquisitive Canine
2159 Palma Drive, Suite D
Ventura CA 93003
O: 805.650.8500
F: 805.650.8501

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Canine College at Ventura College Community Education begins next month!

Canine College Registration is Now Open!

Ventura College Community Education course is now open for registration. Class is being offered twice this semester. Please check out their Web site for details and to enroll your dog in one or both sessions.

For additional information you may visit our Web site, or contact us via email or phone.


Happy 2009 to all Inquisitive Canines
and their Inquisitive Owners!


We look forward to seeing you and your dog in the new year!
Joan and her inquisitive canine Poncho
Trainer ~ Counselor ~ Coach

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Ventura Nightmare!

Kiko and I accompanied a friend to Ventura CA to do 3 days of rally, the day we arrived Kiko came down with stomach trouble.  That night I was lucky to wake up in the motel at 2 AM.  I heard Kiko wake up and start scratching, so I thought yay! shes feeling better!  When I turned the lights on I was horrified to see her distorted face.  We rushed her to the emergency room where we spent most of the night.  I could have lost her!  I am so grateful she woke me up. 

The last picture is how her nose should look. Poor Kiko!

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Dog Trainer in Ventura Hits Blogosphere!

I never thought my mom would be a blogger, but all my dog friends and dog owners kept saying that my mom needed to take her love of dog training and put her tips and advice out to the world wide web to help more dog owners and pups!

My name is Poncho (I have my own dog blog and actually started blogging way before my mom!)

My moms name is Joan, she is a dog lover and works in a profession that we both love (as a trainer and dog behavior instructor in Ventura, Ca) I go to work with her every day.

She created this blog to share her passion about dog training to extend my dog training work in Ventura to the blogosphere!

My mom is a graduate of the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers where she studied pet dog training, behavior problems, client coaching and teaching. Her experience also includes training shelter dogs at the San Francisco SPCA where she specialized in dogs with behavior problems.

In addition to my mom being a great dog treat giver-outter, she is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) through the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT), a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), and an affiliate member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).

She attends conferences all over the place (when I do not get to go I sort of get upset, but then I get to hang out with dad and have lots of male-bonding fun) just to stay current on the latest in animal learning theory and behavior, to incorporate cutting-edge science into her work with owners and their canine companions.

As Joans dog, I can vouch that her approach comes from personal passion and love of animals (me!!)– it is all about positive reinforcement and owner-education in reward-based training sessions.

So far, all the work my mom does with me makes me super, so keep reading my moms dog training blog! :)

-Poncho http://ponchosprose.blogspot.com/

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