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Lucky Dog Sports Club in Jupiter
Positive, rewards-based
dog training
August 2009
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Greetings!
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There's lots going on at Lucky Dog, seminars, special events, and lots of new classes. Check it out!
Dog Behavior Seminar Series
Only two left! Sign up now to reserve your spot in these valuable seminars. Come to as many as you like, but the more you attend, the greater the savings! These seminars are for humans only.
Pet CPR/First Aid Class
Brought back by popular demand (and a long waiting list), this class is filling fast. You even get to practice on a real rescusitation dog.
It's RAD!
Sounds like some groovy 60s thing, but it's actually a new AKC agility game called Run And Done. Bring your dog to this one-night class and learn what it's all about. (More info below.)
There are so many new classes starting in obedience, rally, agility, and puppy. Learn more below or on our website and sign up to guarantee a spot. |
| Help Save Your Pet's Life in an Emergency |
 Pet CPR/First Aid class
Next class: Friday, August 21st from 6:30-8:30 pm
(Only 5 spots left)
When you take this important class, respected veterinarian Dr. David Cox will teach you many important skills that could help save the life of your pet in an emergency. You will practice cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a life-like dog mannequin and learn to apply first aid techniques to pets who are ill or injured until professional veterinarian help can be obtained.
Here are a few of the many topics that will be covered in class:
* Safely handle and assess your injured or ill pet;
* Recognize an emergency;
* Clear an airway obstruction;
* Control bleeding;
* Handle breathing emergencies;
* Safely provide restraint and transportation;
* Initially treat poisoning;
* Recognize shock;
* Splint broken bones;
* Respond to drowning
Fee: $35. Sign up soon to save your spot.
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Contact Information:
Mindy Cox, Training Director
561-427-6700 phone
561-748-3699 fax
Any suggestions or comments? Please email. I value your feedback.
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| Dog Behavior Seminar Series |
There's still time to sign up for the last two behavior seminars in the series. The informative and engaging speaker for all of the seminars is Dr. Lisa Radosta, board-certified veterinary behaviorist. This is the second seminar in a series of four being offered at Lucky Dog Sports Club in Jupiter. Click here for complete information and to sign up, or call 561-427-6700 for information.
Keeping Kids Safe: Will Your Dog Bite? (The Answer May Surprise You.)
Friday, Aug 28th 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Did you know that children are the most common victims of dog bites? Most of the time, they know the dog and are on the dog owner's property. If you have not considered that your dog could bite your child or someone else's, now is the time to start thinking about it! Dogs don't suddenly bite. They give us subtle clues that they are uncomfortable, anxious or stressed and their human has not understood. Learn to read and understand your dog as well as other dogs that your child may come in contact with. You will learn how to understand basic dog communication signals so you can know when your dog is stressed, anxious and likely to bite, you will learn how to prepare your dog for the entry of a baby into the family, know if your dog has a high likelihood of biting a child, and how to keep a safe home for your child or visiting children of friends and family.
Is the dog in the photo happy about the child hugging him? The answer is no. Learn how you can read and understand the signs in this fascinating and important seminar.My Dog Is Driving Me Crazy! How To Deal With Unruly & Annoying Behaviors.
Friday, October 2nd from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (this is a change of date)
You love your dog, but he barks constantly, digs holes in your yard and jumps on your  visitors. Barking, destructive chewing, jumping, digging holes, pawing, counter surfing...you name it. You will learn the common causes and how to fix them. You will learn the reasons behind your dog's unruly and annoying behaviors and what to do about them. A better mannered dog is a pleasure to live with!
Fees:
If you signed up for any of the previous seminars, it's not too late to take the multi seminar discount for the next ones. (Multi-seminar discount applies to additional seminars you sign up for. There is no retroactive discount.)
One seminar- $40 per person
Two seminars-$35 each
Three or more seminars- $30 each
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Obedience Schedule
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For complete description, fees and registration form click on the class name or
click here to go to our website. These are 6-week classes.
Focus Foundation is one of our most popular classes. This class teaches or improves obedience skills such as sit, down, stay, come, loose leash walking, leave it, and no jumping. It  also improves attention, focus and impulse control. We will work at your pace to improve what you already know of teach you and your dog some new skills. As with all of our classes, this is a positive, rewards-based class. No jerking, pulling, or reprimands, only positive reinforcement for being successful!
This is also a great class if you want to move on the fun sport of agility or rally.
New classes scheduled (6-week sessions):
- Tuesday, August 18th at 6:00 p.m. Ends September 22nd.
- Saturday, September 12th at 11 a.m. Ends October 17th
This class fills fast, so sign up now to ensure a place in class. More info
Rally-O is a really fun obedience sport to do with your dog. Give it a try!
Classes begin Monday, October 12th to November 16th.
Advanced class starts at 6 p.m.
Beginner class starts at 7:15 p.m.
Rally-O (also called Rally-Obedience) emphasizes fun and excitement for the dog/handler team while providing an interactive approach to obedience. Rally is about the most fun you can have doing obedience exercises with your dog! The exercises involved in the course will help build your skills as a handler and increase your dog's repertoire of behaviors. Praise, encouragement, and continuous communication are encouraged in this fun sport. Maureen, the instructor is awesom but we don't get her very often, so if you are interested, please sign up. For Level I, your dog should have good obedience skills and attention to you. More info |
Puppy Classes
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 For complete descriptions, fees and registration form click here to go to our website.
Ideal Puppy I is your puppy's first class, almost like Kindergarten. Your puppy must be between 9 and 19 weeks at the start of class.
Why should all puppies go to school? By five months of age much of your puppy's personality has been determined, so it is very important to begin a class prior to this age. Early puppyhood is a critical time for socialization and learning. This time will set the stage for the rest of your puppy's life. You will train and socialize your growing puppy. It is never too early to start them off on the right paw.
UPCOMING CLASSES (total of 8 weeks for Ideal Puppy I & II):
Session D from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. (There are 2 spots left in this session.)
Ideal Puppy I: Thursday, August 27th. Ends September 17th.
Ideal Puppy II: Thursday, September 24th. Ends October 15th. Session E from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Ideal Puppy I: Thursday, September 24th at 6 p.m. Ends October 15th Ideal Puppy II: Thursday, October 22nd at 6 p.m. Ends November 12th. Most people sign up for both Ideal Puppy I and II for 8 weeks of great training and socialization, and $50 in savings. Puppy Agility Fun!
Just graduated from Ideal Puppy class and want more fun, learning, and bonding time with your growing, energetic bundle of fur? Puppy agility teaches confidence and helps build your partnership with your dog. You will continue to work on obedience as your pup begins to learn the skills and balance required for agility. You'll love this fun class!
This indoor/outdoor class begins:
Tuesday, September 15th at 7:15 p.m. and ends October 20th.
This wonderful agility class is for your dog 6-12 months of age. Please go to our website for more information.
Puppy Agility 2
Begins Tuesday, September 15th at 8:30 p.m. Ends October 20th.
This class continues the fun and learning of Puppy Agility Fun!
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| Agility Class Schedule |
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Puppy Agility Fun!
Calling all Ideal Puppy class graduates! The next Puppy Agility Fun class  begins Tuesday, September 15th at 7:15 p.m. Ends Oct. 20th. This class is for puppies between the ages of 6 to 12 months. In this class you will begin to work on agility skills to give your puppy better balance and confidence, while you also improve your obedience and handling skills and your relationship with your full-of-energy adolescent. This class is held indoors in our training room. It's perfect for graduates of Ideal Puppy class! Check out the complete info at our website or use this handy link to sign up.
Puppy Agility 2
Keep the fun going!
Begins Tuesday, September 15th at 8:30 p.m. Ends October 20th.
AGILITY FOR THE GROWNUPS (one year and older):
Intro to Agility
Wednesday, September 16th at 6:15 p.m. Ends Oct. 21st.
This is the first adult (12 months and up) agility class.
dogs will be introduced to many of the obstacles in agility such as jumps, tunnel, chute, and open weaves, in a safe and controlled manner. The skills needed to successfully negotiate the obstacles and the handling skills will be worked on weekly. Attention, focus and motivation will be practiced as the team builds confidence in an atmosphere that centers on learning skills while having fun. More info
Beginning Agility
Wednesday, September 16th at 7:30 p.m. Ends Oct. 21st
Intermediate Agility I & II
Start: Thursday, September 10th at 6:15 pm (please try to be there for set up at 6:00). End: October 15th.
Advanced/Masters Agility Handling & Skills
Monday, September 28th to November 2nd. Two classes: 6:00 p.m. & 7:15 p.m.
Monday, November 9th to December 14th. Two classes: 6:00 p.m. & 7:15 p.m.
Want to Start Your Dog in Agility?
The Intro to Agility class is your first agility class at Lucky Dog. But before you begin, you need to aks yourself if you and your dog are ready. Does your dog have a solid sit/stay and down/stay? Does your dog come when called? Does he or she work well and pay attention to you when there are other dogs around? If you cannot answer yes to these questions, then your first stop is the Focus Foundation class. Good obedience skills are the backbone of any dog sport. In the Focus Foundation class your dog will learn attention, focus, better obedience, and impulse control. And you will learn how to be a better trainer and handler. If, however, you happily answered yes to those questions, congratulations! You have been working diligently. The next Intro to Agility class begins September 16th (or if your dog is less than a year old, check out Puppy Agility Fun!
Still Don't Know What Agility Is?
Don't know what agility is but would like to find out? There's a video that I think explains it well. Check it out. |
| Agility Special Events |
Scheduled for Wednesday, August 19th. One night only.
Two classes:
7:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. (this class is full)
8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. (6 spots left)
Sign up soon to reserve a spot and try this new game out. It's sure to be lots of fun! This class is taught by Cynthia Kean, who as an AKC judge, has just been taught the rules of this new agility event.
This new AKC agility game was tested at a few select shows this past July. No one is sure yet when it will be offered. It's much like USDAA's Steeple chase.
The goal of this game is to present a fun and flowing run. It is a single course open to all dogs. This is a hybrid class; a combination of the Standard and JWW classes.
They are back! Get in on the action and have some fun!
2009 DATES
Sunday, September 13th
Sunday, October 4th
Sunday, November 29th
Sunday, December 20th.
(These dates subject to change.)
TIME: Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and first dog will be ready to run by 5:45 p.m.
CRATING: is indoors in climate-controlled comfort (or outdoors if you prefer).
EXPERIENCE: All levels (Novice class students and up if training at Lucky Dog) are welcome to practice this nested course (novice/open and excellent). After everyone runs the first course we will reverse it and run again after walking the new course. The lighting and footing are great. Toys and treats are welcome and encouraged to reward your dog.
REGISTRATION: To sign up, email us your name, and your pet's name, breed, jump height, and level (novice or excellent). You must sign up in advance. More info |
| Featured Articles |
Playing Tug is Great But First Teach the Rules
Dog owners have been admonished for decades to never play tug of war with their dogs  because of the risk of it increasing aggression and/or dominance in the dog. Even many dog resource people such as breeders, trainers and veterinarians caution against this game. This is partly a failure to discriminate between agonistic behavior (conflict resolution & defensive aggression) and predatory behavior. Also, many people have issues about witnessing intensity. Intensity is not aggression, however.
Played with rules, tug-of-war is a tremendous predatory energy burner and good exercise for both dog and owner. It serves as a barometer of the kind of control you have over the dog, most importantly over his jaws. The game doesn't make the dog a predator: he already is one. The game is an outlet. It's intense, increases dog focus and confidence and plugs into something very deep inside them. The big payoff is in lowered incidence of behavior problems due to understimulation and a potent motivator for snappy obedience. There is a maxim in training: control the games, control the dog. It's also extremely efficient in terms of space and time requirements.
Do Dogs Feel Guilt?
Owners who think that their dog has a "guilty look" are fooling themselves, according to a new study. The penitent expressions some believe that they can spot on their pets' faces after they banish them to the doghouse is also a figment of their imagination, researchers found. 
In one experiment, they told pet owners that their dogs were guilty of misbehaving by stealing treats that they had been specifically told they could not have. Even though the animals were innocent owners still felt that they could "see" a look of guilt.
The researchers insist that there is no basis in owners' belief that they can read their pets body language. They are merely projecting human values onto their animals, they said.
Some dogs "looked guilty" after they had been told off by their owners, the findings, published in the journal Behavioural Processes, also show.
Alexandra Horowitz, an assistant professor at Barnard College in New York, who carried out the research, said: "Given that discovery of, say, a stolen roast or garbage on the floor is often followed instantly by cries of alarm and scolding, it is not surprising that, in retrospect, owners would conflate the sources of dogs' resulting guilty looks. "Merely uttering a dog's name with a rising, accusatory tone is often enough to elicit pre-emptive submissive behaviour.
"The results indicate that the so-called guilty look is a response to owner scolding; it is not expressed more often when actually guilty."
This article is by By Kate Devlin and was published in Telegraph.co.uk. If you would like a copy of the actual study, please email me.
Go to the Article index for training information, including an all-about-agility video. |
| Congratulations! |
Congratulations to our friend Cindy Sullivan, and Kota, her handsome Sheltie on achieving their MACH title (Master Agility Champion). Awesome job!! It couldn't happen to a nicer person!
"I'm so proud of Kota. We finally got our MACH on Friday [July 10th] in Perry GA. What an uphill climb and emotional experience! Agility truly is a trying sport and I believe it makes the rewards that much sweeter. It is such a great feeling when you cross that finish line and know you have finally done, what at one time you thought was impossible. A special thanks to all of you for your support - I could not have done it without you!" |
| Special Mention |
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Here's volunteer Judy Gilick and her therapy dog, Oliver, with patient Julia at Plantation General Hospital. This terrific team finds the time to bring a little joy into people's lives. Nice going and great job to another Lucky Dog participant.
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News You Can Use |
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Be Prepared: An Evacuation Checklist and First Aid Kit
It's hurricane season. Proper emergency planning can help save the life of your pet. The American Kennel Club has prepared the following checklists to help pet owners pack a portable pet first-aid kit and prepare for an emergency evacuation. Preparedness is important in any disaster situation and these checklists can be applied to any emergency that calls for evacuation from your home. You can also find this in the article section of our website.
Class & Events Calendar
Our class calendar is now better than ever. If you are a Lucky Dog member organizing your practice times, you can now tell if a class is inside or outside. It is color coded by type of class (such as agility, obedience, puppy). The first class will have START to indicate the beginning.
Credit Cards are now welcome
In other news, we are now set up to take credit cards! Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are all welcome at Lucky Dog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I register for a class or event?
A: Find the class you want on the Schedule page. For events, go to the Events page.
Click the Sign Up button beneath the class description and fill out the registration form.
Payment can be cash, check, or credit card.
You can mail your form, email it, drop it off in our secure drop box to the left of our front door, fax it, or you can sign up by phone. Go to the Contact page to find all this info.
Q: Do I need a club membership to take a class?A: No. Becoming a club member and taking a class are two separate things. But as a member you have access to Lucky Dog and can practice whenever you want (when there is no class scheduled).
Q: What are Lucky Dog's hours?
A: At this time there are no regular hours when you can drop by, but if you'd like a tour just give us a call and we are happy to accommodate you. Someone is always there when a class or event is scheduled.
Q: Do you only do group classes or can I schedule a private lesson?
A: We are happy to schedule a private lesson at Lucky Dog. We offer obedience and agility private lessons. | |
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