NEWS January

NEW for 2010!!!
Rehabilitation Workshops

Designed for trainers wanting specific environmental situations for desensitisation and counter conditioning programmes for fearful, oversensitive and uncertain dogs. Special workshop for Border Collies: designed for trainers wanting specific environmental situations for over arousal in collies. 4 more details

This month’s article: Sheepdog, Trafficdog, Dogdog

“Sheep dogs, or herding breeds are designed for very specific tasks. Their brain responds with  fixed action patterns that are triggered by movement A fixed action pattern is an inherited “hard-wired” pattern of behaviours. They need to control movement.”

Dogs of Talent videos

After a really great Clicker Challenge day I have made some of the highlights into video clips - enjoy watching happy dogs and happy people. Also the highly trained Gable demonstrates his visual recognition from verbal cues. Learning About Dogs Video Channel

Next COLLAR courses:

Play with Your Dog course

Starts Jan 2, building great games and learning structure. 4 more...

Microshaping Course

Starts again on Feb 6 - a real online learning speciality. 4 more ...

NEW for 2010!!!
What’s New? Seminars

Early dates to book in your diary - you know Learning About Dogs leads the way forward in practical application. Creative, imaginative ideas bases of good results.

What’s New in Dog Training - Jun 26

Focus on “Training is a process not an event”. Teaching people a new mindset, games and exercises to make the learning more effective.

What’s New in Clicker Training - Jun 27

It’s changing all the time, we learn more, we improve, we communicate more effectively.

Learning About Play Jul 11

Nature’s class room provides us with excellent opportunities for learning. But you must pay attention to the rules, play safe and still have fun.

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Open all Winter

The price of oil has not gone down so we shall be very cautious heating the Barn (Barn literally and “like a Barn” figuratively). Training days at weekends are going to be short days (10.30-3pm) - so that everyone doesn’t freeze for longer than necessary, we can work the dogs the whole time and keep active, and you can travel in daylight hours. Short day’s fees will be £35, including the VAT, (17.5%).

We will be increasing our fees from April to £60 per day workshop. But let me run through why Wag More Days are worth every penny:

• This is one of the best dog training facilities in the country. Carpeted, comfortable, private and safe.
• We have a full range of agility equipment: A Frame, Seesaw, Tunnels, Dog Walk, Jumps, Weave poles, with a Summer field for outdoor training.
• Indoor jumps, cavaletti sets, balance balls, 126 different shaping objects, target sticks and mats.
• Probably the best dog trainers you will find - with extensive experience in many different breeds, sports, activities and working dogs. Combining theoretical knowledge with years of practical skills - there doesn’t come a better recipe for good quality teaching and training.
• Great training companions, new friends and always a sense of achievement
• We do not accept more than 8 dogs in a workshop to ensure you get individual attention and each dog has sufficient space to be comfortable. 

If you do book for Winter courses and the weather turns nasty, keep an eye on this page for details on cancellations or local weather conditions.

Toys and Treats for Working Dogs

We are collecting treats and small toys to send to the dogs handlers in Afghanistan – hopefully to enjoy their down time with a some Wag More fun. Please make a note to pop something extra in your shopping and bring to the Barn when you next visit. There is no deadline for this, we shall continue to supply a stream of treats as long as the dogs and handlers are working.

Travels in the New Year

I shall be boosting British Airways profit margins with a handful of trips to the US. Beginning with the Clicker Expo in Portland at the end of January I am doing presentations on Learning Games and Self Control with practical workshops as well. These are two of my favourite subjects. The Expo repeats again Mar 19, 20, 21 in Kentucky. Both new places I have never visited to before, although the inside of one hotel is much like another!

More details: http://www.clickertraining.com/clickerexpo/

We shall also be having the “Wicked Minds” one day conference on 6 Feb, at University of North Texas. This is hosted by Jesus Rosales Ruiz and his post graduate students. A full day of interesting speakers that will set your minds alight, details:

http://orgs.unt.edu/orca/GMC2010_main1.html

My presentation will be on the value of assessment and how it changes your mindset. Key speaker this year is Dr Robert Epstein, with a fabulous supporting cast of Bob Bailey, Alexandra Kurland, Ken Ramirez, Steve White and Steve Martin

I shall then be in Connecticut at Leslie Nelson’s Tails U win training centre covering 3 days of my favourite Clicker Skills workshops. This group always bring along excellent skills and I have no doubt we shall be pushing the boundaries further back again.

http://www.tailsuwin.com/index.htm

In March I shall be escaping the dreary English weather with a Californian week with Teah at Gentle Pets from 24 – 28 March, covering Microshaping (Sat 27 Mar) –“ Microshaping is not about teaching impressive behaviours; it is about impressive teaching of behaviours through thin slicing of the learning criteria to enable error free learning” and the Foundation Skills for Performance and Working Dogs on Sun 28 Mar

Details: http://www.gentlepets.com/

I look forward to catching up with many of you - visits to the States are always inspiring, and sad as it is to say it - I really enjoy the travel. My first career was airport orientated, so Chicago and Dallas are more like home! I still have a fascination for the complexity that has evolved through demand and the skills involved in running and maintaining such a travel hub. I know just where to find the quiet gaterooms, best places to eat (ask a member of staff) and avoiding having to pay for a trolley (cart)

C.O.L.L.A.R.
Canine On Line Learning and Resources.

These courses are providing exceedingly rich and fertile learning fields. Mostly down the the energetic, skilled and enthusiastic participants on the courses. Even when the course may seem simple, the desire to look deeply improves the knowledge of all of us. If you used to enjoyed those nutty chewy discussions that used to frequent the lists in the early days of clicker training, then you would enjoy there courses. We attract a very high quality learner!

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Coming Schedule:

The Magnificent Microshaping Course

This fantastic course begins Feb 6 for 6 lessons over 12 weeks. Microshaping is our speciality and allows you to teach with exquisite precision and error-less learning.

...., and soon we will have some great guest teachers covering their speciality - keep in touch!

4 more details

Don’t forget we now have a great discount scheme for those addicted to learning, giving 20% off all your online courses.

We are dog people, providing teaching, training and education in many formats.
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From puppy class to advanced workshops with all varieties of dog training in between.
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We offer a rich curriculum through classes, workshops, seminars and courses.
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We produce books and DVDs devoted to dog training.
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We shop for the very best stuff your dog can enjoy - toys, games, leads, gear, jumps, jackets AND we only recommend stuff we use ourselves.
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We are qualified in teaching and training. Run courses for other trainers and instructors. We  teach our Wag More methods across the world.
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We lead the way in innovative and effective teaching for all types of dogs learning all types of skills.
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Winter Diary & Special Events

New !!!

Rehabilitation Workshop

Designed for trainers wanting specific environmental situations for desensitisation and counter conditioning programmes for fearful, oversensitive and uncertain dogs.

• De-stressing activities and avoidance techniques.
• Looking for alternative reinforcement and building exceptional good cue responses.
• Learning to change your own behaviour to meet the needs of your dog.
• Training in short, progressive bursts, with rest and relaxation between.

You must anticipate that your dog will need to rest in your car. Unless you have attended a previous workshop with Kay please arrange for pre-assessment before booking. Familiarisation with desensitisation, counter conditioning techniques is recommended.

There is a maximum of 6 dogs on this workshop. You can also attend to learn about rehabilitation training but must be prepared to assist with the training. This is short day from 10.30 - 3pm. £35

Rehabilitation for Collies Workshop

Designed for trainers wanting specific environmental situations for over arousal in collies.

• Training in short, progressive bursts, with rest and relaxation between.
• Desensitisation and counter conditioning programmes. De-stressing activities and avoidance techniques.
• Looking for alternative reinforcement and building exceptional good cue responses.
• Learning to change your own behaviour to meet the needs of your dog.

You must anticipate that your dog will need to rest in your car. Unless you have attended a previous workshop with Kay please arrange for pre-assessment before booking.

Familiarisation with desensitisation, counter conditioning techniques and attendance on a Learning About Border Collies day is recommended.

There is a maximum of 6 dogs on this workshop. You can also attend to learn about rehabilitation training but must be prepared to assist with the training. This is short day from 10.30 - 3pm. £35

Learning About Border Collies May 30

Many sports enthusiasts are choosing the multi-talented collie, or sheepdog, to partner them in a variety of activities. From Agility to Freestyle, from Obedience to Tracking, the collies will do their best to enjoy and fully participate in the training and competition.

We employ their inherited talents; such as supreme concentration, athleticism, mental and physical stamina and enthusiasm to learn and tailor these skills to our sport's requirements. In the same package other talents can interfere with the very skills we are trying to develop, such as over arousal, response to uncontrolled activity, using prey behaviours.

This workshop focusses on teaching you about the "whole package" and learning to use  their talents to create a balanced partner. A critical part of developing a healthy collie is to teach relaxation and find the "off" switch. Participant places £50, are limited to 6, spectator places £30.

Focus on LifeSkills Week Feb 2-5th

This is the perfect opportunity to invest some time in your dog’s training with our Open Week for Lifeskills Training. Help with:

• lead walking,
• social skills with other dogs and people,
• learning to control the energy,
• successful recall training,
• managing multiple dogs,
• car travelling etc.

Expert help and practical advice from Learning About Dogs Trainers. £25 per hour, available Mon - Fri, 9-5pm, and Friday evenings.

What’s New in Clicker Training Jun 27

Clicker training has now become of age and flourishing with many hundreds of people applying the techniques to many different applications.
From attendance and presentations at the Clicker Expos and the Conference on the Art & Science of Animal Training, Kay will bring fresh ideas to Wag More wrapped in practical application. Examining in more detail the philosophies and strategies we have taken for granted can make significant changes to our training and understanding of what is happening. £35

What’s New in Dog Training Jun 26

The majority of classes across the country are meeting the needs of dog owners with puppy, lifeskills and management classes. Many of the techniques being used remain the same without being updated to take into account our developing understanding of how learning and reinforcement happens.

This seminar will look at a range of quite different techniques and activities to integrate into your classes from rehabilitation training to self control exercises. £35

Learning About Play Jul 11

Play is nature’s classroom. It surrounds the most effective learning. Games are more than just fun or reinforcement, they can provide your dog with learning structure, teach self control, increase mental and physical stamina. The dog can learn new movements and self awareness. To play effective games you must learn safety rules for both you and the dog, be absolutely on time with your clicker, manage arousal in both you and your dog and start along the road to building intense and focussed behaviours. Demonstrations with a variety of games.

Evening Classes

All classes are drop in classes, so if you would like to pop along you will be most welcome.

Evening Classes:

• Monday:
  7 - 9pm. K9 Multi Sports with Helen Phillips
• Tuesday:
  6.30 - 7.30pm Puppies with Sarah Harrison
  7.30 - 8.30pm Juniors
• Wednesday:
  7 - 9pm Energy Class with Kay Laurence
• Thursday:
  7pm - 9pm Wag-n-Click with Kay Laurence

• 4 more details

Is it on?

Over the Winter months we occasionally need to cancel an evenings class or workshop (extremely rarely) - or even during the wet Summer months as well! Sometimes you are not sure whether to set off or not.

If we need to cancel class, or warn you of bad weather this is where you will find information. You are not likely to get an answer from the office outside normal office hours.

Currently: All classes are running as normal

Kennel Cough

September and October are most likely to see your dog with Kennel Cough. Unfortunately it is highly infectious, and we ask you not to come to class if you are in doubt.

Above average exercise or excitement, and pulling against the collar all all likely to make the coughing worse. The disease can last initially from 10-20 days and can re-break when the dog is put into a stressful situation which puts stress on the dog's immune system. Diagnosis is made by seeing these symptoms, having a history of exposure is also helpful but not always found as kennel cough is easily spread through contact with contaminated surfaces such as the ground, toys, pavements, parks