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
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!
Here's some good advice for this gloomy, rainy day. Enjoy!
If a dog was your teacher, you would learn things like:
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).
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.
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.
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.
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!Thank you to all the Gemini Dogs staff who helped in test setup and production and to Bridget Desroches for her co-evaluating.
- Mimi Englander and Ivy
- Maria Seifer and Meika
- Christine Holley-Williams and Surf
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!
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!
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
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!
Did you vote today? I'm sure all us dog people voted for Mike Huckabee and his pal Chuck Norris, right? :)
Due to a scheduling conflict, the Saturday, February 9, CPE Games class Fullhouse and Wildcard has been moved to Saturday, March 16. Sorry for the switch-a-roo! If you can't attend, please call or email us. If you can now attend, register now. Thank you!
It's also great for students who have gone through all regular obedience classes and want to take it to the next level and keep improving!
Classes are held on Mondays at 7:45 PM and go for six weeks.
Or, join us for rally run-thrus on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 5:30.
GD owner, Michelle Borelli, recently adopted two puppies from a Maine shelter where she volunteered with several national Disaster Animal Response Teams. Her puppies wanted to write in and update us on their new home. Their letter also references another rescue pup named Deisel, who was adopted by daycare staffers Marie Babineau and Derek Tripp.
Wow! We just all wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all of the people who helped to get us where we are today. We are 7 months old and are two little Shih-Poos of over 300 dogs that used to live in a puppy mill in Buxton, Maine.We were recently adopted and we have settled right in to our new home with our siblings Tyler and Dancer. They love us, and Tyler especially enjoys playing with us. He is a Bolognese, which he told me is just a fancy name for a Bichon from Italy.
Dancer looks like Benji, but they don't really know what she is. It doesn't matter though, because she accepted us and even plays with us in the kitchen and living room. I guess she usually doesn't play much, being 10 years old, but she made an exception for us.We have been having a great time figuring out what our reflections are when we pass by the dishwasher, and are learning to walk on a leash. We are very happy puppies! And I love watching that thing you guys call a television; it is so cool!
We have been attending doggie daycare every day and we have lots of new friends now! We even see our old pal Deisel from Buxton. He was one of six American Bulldog puppies that were rescued along with us.
So it's a great place to be here... we are finally at home! I have included some photos that mommy took while we were sleeping on our first night home.
The website DogBoston is hosting a survey of the best dog-related businesses and parks around the Boston area. Help spread the word about Gemini Dogs by voting for us!
Come join us for 2 hours of agility fun and play at the CPE Games class!
An old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home.
He followed me into the house, down the hall, and fell asleep in a corner. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
The next day he was back, resumed his position in the hall, and slept for an hour. This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap."
The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with ten children -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?"
Congratulations to Gemini Dogs training assistant, Laurie Schultz, who has passed her state exam and is now an authorized wildlife rehabilitation expert! Great job, Laurie!
Here's Laurie and one of her "students".
| Sign Up for Our Newsletter! |
