I'm a Gemini Dog!

Our Easter weekend boarders and daycare doggies took advantage of the warm sunny day yesterday. We had two very fun and playful groups who sure were pooped by the end of the day!

Baylee catches some rays



Maggie D.



Jake was full of energy!



Jake and Baylee discuss the weather



Ally, Jake, and Baylee

Ginny



Amos, Jenny, and Krystale play follow the leader!



Amos



Raider and Jenny wrestle with a bone



Ellie comes in for her close-up

Krystale



Amos



Ellie



Who's going to make the first move? Smokey, Raider, or Jenny?



Bathing beauties Baylee and Maggie D

Amos



Jenny and Smokey



Ellie

Kiss Me! I'm an Irish Gemini Dog!

Gemini Dog Deja Blu gives her brother Coleby a smooch this St. Patrick's Day. Deja and Coleby belong to office manager Nancy Basley and are rumored to still be talking to their Mom, even after enduring this photo shoot!

If Dogs Were Teachers

Here's some good advice for this gloomy, rainy day. Enjoy!

If a dog was your teacher, you would learn things like:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.

• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

• When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
• Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

New! Friday Night Agility Video Run Thrus

Here's a great way to work on your technique! Walk and run a course while being taped. Then, following a debriefing, re-walk and re-run the course while being taped again.

We will then view the tapes to help you see what works best for your team. We bet you'll pick up loads of ways to improve your runs!

Bring a VHS tape (or your own video camera, if you prefer).

• Friday Mar. 7, Mar. 21, April 4
• 5:30-7:00 PM
• More info
  

I'm a New Gemini Dog!

Training assistant Kim Lewis recently sent in photos of her newest Gemini Dog, Sydney. Kim writes:

Sydney joined our family this weekend. She is 4 to 5 month old cattle dog. So far she is very sweet and friendly, and wants to get along with the other two dogs. Wyle and Maggie are still not too sure of her.

Congrats, woof, and welcome to the family!

New Seminar! Get SMART About Training with Kathy Sdao

We are happy to announce another Dogs of Course seminar in April! Kathy Sdao marks her 5th annual speaking engagement in New England with this two-day seminar at Gemini Dogs April 26-27. Visit the Dogs of Course website for complete details.

Get SMART About Training
with Kathy Sdao, MA CAAB
April 26-27, 2008 at Gemini Dogs

Many dog trainers have made efforts to increase their use of positive reinforcement while minimizing their use of painful or anxiety- provoking punishments. When we opt to avoid using "sticks" to motivate our dogs, we must make a commitment to become SMART about the use of "carrots" – positive reinforcers.

The acronym SMART stands for "See, Mark and Reward Training"; it summarizes the fundamental sequence of behaviors a trainer performs when using reinforcement effectively. Are you maximizing the power of positive reinforcement or just scratching the surface?

Join Kathy Sdao for this all new seminar that will improve your skills and effectiveness using positive reinforcement. Continuing Education Credits for CPDTs and IAABC.

• For full information and registration go to Dogs of Course.

Thinking about dog agility? Take an Agility 101 workshop!

If you have been thinking about getting into dog agility but are unsure of what's involved, then come to one of our 1-hour workshops!

• Friday nights 6-7 PM (Dates have changed due to snow storm)
  
• $25 each.
  
• All workshops require completion of beginner obedience (or instructor approval) as a prerequisite, but there is no age limit.
• More info and register now
  

Workshop 1: Agility Try It (March 14)

Want to try agility but still working on the obedience training required? Have a puppy or young dog that's too young to start our regular agility classes? Come and see what agility is about in a safe and fun atmosphere.

Get your feet and paws wet by trying some beginner obstacles like tunnels, jumps, table, low dogwalks and A-frame. This workshop is designed to give a brief overview of agility equipment and what is involved in training you and your dog for agility.


Workshop 2: Training on the Flat (March 28)

Have you watched agility and wondered how the dogs always seem to know just where to go? How do the dogs and handlers change sides without colliding? It's not magic - it's a system of cues - like teaching sit and down. And it's all done without equipment!

If you are waiting to get into an agility class or have a dog too young yet for agility class, then this workshop is for you! Get a head start in agility and come learn all those handling cues now!

You'll learn how to turn your dogs towards you and away from you with a series of fun games using everyday items like waste baskets and chairs! Learn how to get a beautiful stay and go 10, 15, 20 feet away! Learn the secrets to how all those agility handlers get their dogs to go all the way to the bottom of those big pieces of contact equipment, the dogwalk, and A-frame. This workshop is designed to provide you with fun training games that you can practice while waiting to get into an agility class.


Workshop 3: Tricks and Agility Games (April 11)

Get a headstart on agility classes and come learn all kinds of training games designed to teach basic agility skills in a fun and fast atmosphere. These are games that benefit everyone from the backyard agility enthusiast participating for fun to the most experienced competitors.

These games and tricks are fun and easy to teach, and provide important self-control skills as well as physical conditioning necessary for dogs doing agility.

Riley loves doing agility at Gemini Dogs!

We received some video of Leeann K. and Riley taken during a recent agility class. Leeann writes:

Riley just wanted to show everyone how much he enjoys training in agility with Carolyn.

He is just so happy and having a great time even when I make mistakes in my handling.

Watch the clip and get a free handling tip! Then learn more tips like this at our Agility 101 workshop.

Congratulations Good Citizens!

Paul Emerson reports a successful CGC test night this past Thursday. He writes:

Congratulations to everyone who participated in our Valentines Day AKC Canine Good Citizen test and special congratulations to our newest Canine Good Citizens!

• Mimi Englander and Ivy
• Maria Seifer and Meika
• Christine Holley-Williams and Surf

Thank you to all the Gemini Dogs staff who helped in test setup and production and to Bridget Desroches for her co-evaluating.

Get Earthy Crunchy!

Well, just earthy, at least! We are happy to announce that we have a new session of Earthdog coming up!

• Beginners Saturday at 2:30pm
• Advanced Saturday at 3:30pm

Classes for this session will be on: Feb 23, Mar 8, Apr 5, and Apr 12

Learn more about Earthdog or register now!

Hope to see you in class soon!

Classes are on tonight

Don't be afraid of the rain -- all scheduled classes are still on tonight!

I'm a Gemini Dog Valentine!

Here's today's doggie Valentine!



Penelope, aka Penny, is a 10-month old Rottie owed by Mike and Jill Eracleo. Jill writes: "Penny takes basic training class with Bridget and loves it!!"

Send your pix in!

Will you be my doggie Valentine?

Daycare staffer Sarah J. sent in this photo of her doggie Valentine, TJ.

TJ is a very special 5-year old yellow Lab who lives at the Second Chance Animal Shelter and is part of the Becker College animal program. Sarah takes JT to obedience classes at Gemini Dogs and writes, "She's my buddy!"

Send us a photo of your favorite Gemini Dogs Valentine and we'll feature him or her on the Bark Blog! Email John and be sure to include your name, your dog's name, and any special extra info!

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show: Mon & Tue

Tune into USA Network tonight and tomorrow at 8PM for coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. There are four new breeds eligible for the first time at Westminster in 2008: the Plott (Hound Group), the Tibetan Mastiff (Working), the Swedish Vallhund (Herding) and the Beauceron (Herding).

• Show website

What's that bright thing in the sky?

A few of our boarding guests were lucky enough to take advantage of the very brief appearance by the sun Saturday to pose for the camera with daycare staffer, Shawn. Say cheese (and squint!).

Shawn and Chip



Chip



Stanley



Lily



Smokey and Chip play

New book included in Obedience 1 classes!

We are happy to announce that we are now including Gemini Dogs instructor Carolyn Barney's new book, Clicker Basics for Dogs and Puppies, with all level one obedience classes. Congratulations on getting published, Carolyn!

If you've already taken level one and would like your own autographed copy, order one here!

Super Tuesday

Did you vote today? I'm sure all us dog people voted for Mike Huckabee and his pal Chuck Norris, right? :)