Gemini Dogs welcomes return visit by Kathy Sdao!

We are happy to host another Dogs of Course seminar featuring Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Kathy Sdao this weekend. Kathy is speaking at the two-day event titled: "Get SMART About Training."

Through use of lecture, demonstrations and video, this seminar will explore all aspects of positive reinforcement: types, frequency, timing, placement, use of conditioned reinforcers, creation of new reinforcers, schedules of reinforcement, satiation, the use of distractions as reinforcers, and what reinforcement cannot accomplish.

Although registration is closed, walk-ins are welcome. Click for more information.

I'm a Gemini Dog!

Diesel



Tucker



Koda gets some lovin'



Max says hi!



Let's go!

Spring Cleaning

Saturday morning six dedicated daycare staffers, along with owners Michelle and John, did some Spring cleaning in the daycare.

While John, Derek, and Shawn lugged more rocks into the runs, Michelle, Marie, Chelsea, Jill, and Briana spiffed up the inside by cleaning almost everything in sight!

Great job everyone, and thanks for your dedication to Gemini Dogs!

Briana, Jill, Marie, Chelsea, Michelle, and Banjo



Derek, Shawn, John, and Seamus



Shawn and Derek load 'em up!



John brings in another load of rocks

Signs of Spring!

Look what sprouted in our agility field overnight! Yep, we are getting ready for outdoor agility. Sun, grass, joyful barking. Wahoo!

• Sign up for a class

No Rally Run-Thrus on Sunday, April 20

See you next time!

I'm a Gemini Dog!

Bailey made some new friends at doggie daycare last week!

Outdoor agility video workshops next weekend!

Come Get Ready For Spring Trial Season!

We are offering two, day-long video workshops in our outdoor ring next weekend, April 19 and 20.

• Complete details

This is a perfect opportunity to get outside and work out the bugs from this long and cold winter. For those that work in tight quarters all winter, this is a chance to get your timing down in a fullsize outdoor ring.

If your dog gets Spring fever and you fight distractions in outdoor environments, this is your chance to work through those birds, bunnies, and deer in a safe, fully-fenced ring.

Getting ready to compete for the first time? Here’s your opportunity to get outside and practice with your dog on regulation courses and equipment.

AND…this is a VIDEO workshop, so as you work through distractions, timing, handling, contact, and weave performance issues, you will be able to watch the before and after of your runs! Come join us for a day of springtime outdoor agility fun!

Show Handling class now accepting drop-ins

Spring Show Handling classes have started and drop-in spaces are available!

• Introduce your dog to a new venue and he'll be better prepared for the shows this spring.
• Polish up your handling skills and learn to incorporate the relaxation and visualization techniques today's athletes use to enhance their performance.
• If you're a novice handler - Welcome! You'll learn how to present your dog to best advantage. Our small class setting is pleasant, fun, and supportive. There is ample time for individual attention.

Classes are Thursdays at 6 PM on:

• April 10
• April 24
• May 8
• May 22

Drop-ins are $25. Please notify the office (978-486-9922) by 2 PM on the date you wish to drop in to class.

Biella loves her Frisbee class!

Gemini Dogs student Gail G. writes:

I wanted to thank Bridget for the training tips she gave me with my frisbee-loving dog, Biella. Your frisbee class taught me how to be a better team player and my frisbee skills have also improved with your great tips.

Biella loves to play frisbee with me even more since your class. I also learned how to incorporate my clicker training which has supported our agility work. Thanks Bridget!

Keep an eye out for our next Frisbee Dog class or workshop.

Teardrops for Casey

We received news today that Casey Cosker, a longtime daycare dog, passed away last weekend.

Casey was a great dog who had a lot of friends spanning many years here at Gemini Dogs.

We have had the pleasure of caring for Casey since before 2001. In fact, we looked in our database and have discovered that Casey was dog #562 of the over 6500 dogs that have come to Gemini Dogs since we started using a database to keep track of our doggie customers!

As you can imagine, Casey has quite a history with us! We are proud to have had a place in Casey's life, and we will miss him dearly.

Cindy, please know that we are thinking of you!

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.