Volume 6, Issue 1
March 2017
In This Issue
Greetings,
Website News
It's been a little while since we've arrived in your mailbox,
I'm glad to have the chance to talk with you again. We
have exciting things happening at Redfern these days,
and I wanted to share some of those with you.
Quote Me
Dog Days of Summer
Camp
Dear Portia
Get More Out of Training
Current Class Listings
Quick Links
Home
Training Center/Location
Training & Events
SCHEDULE
Training Class
Descriptions
Seminars
Special Events
Photo Gallery
Betsy's Blog
Head over to our website
and check out our
newest feature!
Over the next year keep
an eye open for posts
about everything dog,
from instructors to
breeders and everything
in between.
In this issue, you'll meet Portia, the newest addition to the
family that easily holds her own with my other girls. She is
truly a big dog in a small dog body. Portia is a lover and a
snuggler and has already completed her therapy dog
certification. She is a popular visitor at Hershey Medical
Center and Country Meadows. Keep your eyes on her!
Next, I have a little more help these days! Cheryl Daily
and Roseanne Foy are both teaching at the center now. I
have the utmost confidence with both women, and I'm
certain a class with either one would be a great experience
for both you and your dog. Their philosophy mirrors
mine: be kind, be consistent and be patient.
I've also added two Reactive Dog classes to the
schedule. The course was designed to help dogs and
owners deal with fear and similar reactions to help guide
both toward a calmer existence. Each class is limited to
four teams, and dogs are subject to evaluation prior to
participation. Please note these classes are not for dogs
with a history of aggression toward people. If you have
questions, please email me and we can discuss it further.
And finally, I hope to keep in closer contact with a more
regular newsletter schedule. Look for a new issue to land
in your inbox every other month. Let me know what you
think.
Good to get back in touch with all of you. Looks like Spring
may be making an early arrival and that makes me
happy, even if it does mean more muddy paws!
Take care,
Betsy
Did You Know...
Dogs' eyes have a
special membrane
Make Plans for Dog Days of Summer Camp:
called the tapetum
lucidum that allows them
to see in the dark.
Built-in night vision!
You Can Quote Me
on That.
"Everyone thinks they
have the best dog. And
none of them are
wrong."
W.R. Purche
Sign Up Now!
Just imagine for a moment: your child
and your dog working together in perfect
harmony. This summer that can be your
reality with our Summer Day Camp.
Designed for children aged 7 and up,
class size is limited to provide a unique,
hands-on experience. Don't have a
canine friend? No problem. We have
"loaners" that will enjoy and work with
your child on basic training, obedience, agility, rally and
nosework. Together each team will create a bond as they
learn new skills, and have a great time along the way.
Summer was meant for kids and dogs and this camp is an
excellent way to foster your child's love of animals and
teach them responsibility at the same time.
July 24-28: First-time Campers
August 7-11: Advanced Campers
First-time Campers is required before our second course.
The Advanced Camper builds on learned skills, moving to
the next level, and participants are eligible to test and
receive their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) recognition at the
close of the sessions.
To register, please head to our website at
redferncanines.com and sign up soon! Due to small class
size, we may open a second beginner's session if we
have enough participants. Watch for further
details on the website.
The Passing of the Bone
As all of you most likely know, we lost
Julie last year. While that special place in
my heart will always be reserved for my
beautiful, independent girl, I found
there's also room for a newcomer as
well.
I'd like to introduce the newest member of our staff,
Portia. She'll have big paw prints to fill, but she has her
own outlook on the world and I'm pleased you'll all get the
chance to watch her grow along with me.
Meet Dreamvale's Diverse Portfolio, a Cavalier King
Charles Spaniel, born 11/14/2015. We simply call her
"Portia." With expressive brown eyes framed by long,
silky ears with fine white hairs sprouting atop her head,
Portia is blenheim, a rich chestnut and white. Playful and
engaging, she's already secured her Canine Good Citizen
(CGC) and her THDN, designating her as a therapy dog
novice. She's learning the ins and outs of rally and we are
expecting great things from this petite dynamo.
Bringing a new breed in the house certainly doesn't
diminish my love of the Labrador Retriever, they've been
my life for too many years. But Portia does offer me the
opportunity to diversify my portfolio in a way I can truly
appreciate!
Train. Play. Retain.
Think your dog needs to rest after a
training session? While it may sound
good to you, a better plan would be to
give in and just play. Need more
incentive? Dogs that engage in 30
minutes of walk/play time relearned
training 40% faster than dogs that
rested after a training session.
How does it work?
Studies show that when an individual is aroused
emotionally, certain hormones are released that can
enhance memory retention. An easy way to get the positive
benefits is to play with your dog after training. In a recent
study of Labrador Retrievers working on object
discrimination, dogs that went for walks and played after
training got up to speed 40% when lessons resumed as
compared to the dogs that rested with little to no
interaction.
So the next time you come to class, plan on a little playtime
and a walk afterward. That simple 30 minute investment will
have your dog heading to the top of the class faster, and
chances are, it'll help your dog's handler as well!
Make Plans to Train. A Tired Dog is A Happy Dog!
Current Class Listings
Class Title
Introduction to Training Seminar
Beginning
Date/Time
# Class
Sessions
February 25 (Sat)
2:00 pm
1*
Puppy Class
March 4 (Sat)
9:00 am
7*
Intro to NoseWork I
March 4 (Sat)
11:30 am
6
Advanced Manners
March 7 (Tue)
6:00 pm
4
( 3/7, 3/14, 3/28, 4/4)
Beginners Class
March 7 (Tue)
7:45 pm
7*
Introduction to Training Seminar
March 11 (Sat)
2:00 pm
1*
Puppy Class
March 13 (Mon)
6:30 pm
7*
Rally I
March 13 (Mon)
7:45 pm
6
NoseWork II / Intro To Odors
March 16 (Thur)
6:30 pm
4
Beginners Class
March 18 (Sat)
10:15 am
7*
Introduction to Training Seminar
March 25 (Sat)
4:00 pm
1*
Outdoor Adventures
March 26 (Sun)
1:00 pm
6
NoseWork - Vehicles
March 26 (Sun)
2:45 pm
4
Canine Good Citizen/Therapy Dog
Prep
March 30 (Thur)
7:45 pm
5
Beginners Class
April 1 (Sat)
12:45 pm
7*
NoseWork - Exteriors
April 5 (Wed)
6:00 pm
4
Introduction to Training Seminar
April 15 (Sat)
9:00 am
1*
Beginners Class
April 19 (Wed)
7:45 pm
7*
Puppy Class
April 22 (Sat)
9:00 am
7*
Canine Good Citizen/Therapy Dog
Prep
April 22 (Sat)
11:30 am
5
Advanced Manners
April 25 (Tue)
6:00 pm
NoseWork I
April 25 (Tue)
7:45 pm
6
Beginners Class
April 27 (Thur)
6:00 pm
7*
Introduction to Training Seminar
April 30 (Sun)
3:00 pm
1*
May 1 (Mon)
4
( 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/23)
Rally I
6:30 pm
6
NoseWork II / Intro to Odors
May 1 (Mon)
7:45 pm
4
Advanced Manners
May 4 (Thur)
6:00 pm
Beginners Class
May 6 (Sat)
10:15 am
6*
Introduction to Training Seminar
May 13 (Sat)
3:00 pm
1*
Agility II
May 14 (Sun)
1:00 pm
6
Agility I
May 14 (Sun)
2:15 pm
6
Puppy Class
May 17 (Wed)
6:00 pm
7*
Come & Go
May 30 (Tue)
6:00 pm
6
4
( 5/4, 5/18, 5/25, 6/1)
IMPORTANT NOTE
All training classes denoted with an asterisk have a prerequisite of
the Introduction to Training Class. This class is designed for trainers
only, no dogs are permitted.
Spring is coming a little early this year! Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather with your
dogs and make plans to join us soon. Remember, dogs love to have a job and learn new
skills. Send your kiddo and your dog over for Summer Camp, we're going to have a great
time!
Sincerely,
Be ts y
Betsy Howell
Redfern Canines