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Lucky Dog Sports Club in Jupiter Positive, rewards-based dog training
November 2009
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Greetings!
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What is Clicker Training?
Clicker training is a powerful yet gentle positive method to train dogs and
other animals. This method  enhances the development of a strong bond, love and
respect between dog and trainer producing wonderful results. You can literally see how the dog is solving problems and working his way in the
learning process step by step, at an accelerated rate. It makes a THINKING dog. Clicker training is based on Pavlovian reaction and conditioning. The method
uses positive reinforcement as the primary teaching tool and the clicker serves
as a marker for the dog when the trainer clicks at the moment that the dog is correct: "Yes! That was right". A reward (treat) is given immediately after every click, which soon
builds a positive association with the click. The sharp click and clear reward
help the dog correct his behavior without the need for punishment or scolding.
At Lucky Dog, we think the clicker is a wonderful training tool with which every good trainer should be fluent. We will show you how effectively and kindly it can help train your dog! -------------------------------------------------- It's really easy to read this newsletter online. Click the link at the top of the page. |
Featured Article
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In my opinion, only the uninformed are still suggesting things like the alpha roll (forcing the dog on its back and holding it there until it "submits") as an effective training method, but it is based on outdated research. Punishment, newer research is showing, is an ineffective way of training a dog. Check out this article by Karen Pryor, which you can find at her site.
Debunking Dominance Theory
By Karen Pryor on 08/11/2009
Throughout the pet business right now, "dominance theory" is a
popular explanation for absolutely anything that happens, from a puppy
tugging on your trouser leg to birds flying up instead of down.
Conquering "dominance" has become justification for absolutely any punishment
people can think up, from shocking dogs to stuffing parrots into the
toilet. (Yes, seriously.) And the awful thing is that otherwise
sensible people believe this nonsense. Apparently the idea that some
animal is trying to "dominate" YOU really resonates. Yikes-gotta stop
that, right?
You may be pleased to learn that some British scientists have blown
a hole in the whole dog dominance business. Researchers in companion
animal behavior
in the University of Bristol veterinary department studied a group of
dogs at a re-homing center, and also reanalyzed existing studies on
feral dogs. Their conclusion: individual relationships between dogs are
learned through experience rather than motivated by a desire to assert
"dominance."
According to these specialists in companion animal behavior,
training approaches aimed at "dominance reduction" vary from worthless
to downright dangerous. Making dogs go through doors or eat their
dinners after you, not before, will not shape the dogs' overall view of
the relationship, but will only teach them what to expect in those
situations.
In other words, that stuff is silly, but harmless.
"Much worse, techniques such as pinning the dog to the floor,
grabbing the jowls, or blasting hooters [noise makers] at dogs, will
make dogs anxious, often about their owner, and potentially lead to an
escalation of aggression."
Read the rest of the article
A nice summary of the research, as well as other interesting articles can be found here.
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In a related article, a study shows If You're Aggressive Your Dog Will Be Too.
In a new, year-long University of Pennsylvania survey of dog owners who
use confrontational or aversive methods to train aggressive pets,
veterinary researchers have found that most of these animals will
continue to be aggressive unless training techniques are modified. The study, published in the current issue of Applied Animal Behavior Science,
also showed that using non-aversive or neutral training methods such as
additional exercise or rewards elicited very few aggressive responses. Read it here. | |
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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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Wishing all of our friends a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

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Class Schedule
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SUMMARY OF UPCOMING CLASSES
For detailed info, descriptions, fees, instructors, and to register,
click on class name or go to our Schedule Page.
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Reactive Dog Class For dogs that bark, lunge, and growl at other dogs or people.
The next Reactive Dog classes will begin
Wednesday, January 27th. There will be two classes: The 1st class is from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The 2nd
class is from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The initial class (week one) is for owners
only (no dogs) and will begin at 7:00 p.m. for both groups.
Sign up now to
reserve your spot. This special class is only given three times a year.
It is taught by Dr. Lisa Radosta, board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
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Focus Foundation Obedience, Attention, Focus, and Impulse Control.  Focus Foundation is also the prerequisite for Intro to Agility. This popular class fills quickly so sign up today! (Only 3 spots left.)
Upcoming
Class: Wednesday, November 18th to December 23rd at 6:15 p.m.
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Beginner Rally-O A fun spin on obedience!
Continuing: Monday, October 19th to November
23rd. Beginner class begins at 7:15 p.m. Please let us know if you would like to be informed of the next scheduled class. If your dog can do a reliable sit, down, stay, and walk at your side, then you can do Rally! Give it a try.
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Ideal Puppy I & Ideal Puppy II This is an important socialization and training class for puppies 9 to 20 weeks of age. Don't miss out on these important behavioral milestones that will help your pup grow into a more confident, well-adjusted dog. Your dog will only be a puppy once!
Ideal Puppy I and II are each 4 weeks long for a full and wonderful 8 weeks of learning and play.

UPCOMING: Ideal Puppy I:
Begins Thursday, October 22nd. Ends November 12th. 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Ideal Puppy II: Begins
Thursday, November 19th. Ends December 17th (no class on Thanksgiving, Nov.
26th)
Ideal Puppy I: Begins
Thursday, November 19th. Ends December 17th (no class on Thanksgiving, Nov.
26th) 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ideal Puppy II: Begins Thursday, January 7, 2010. Ends January 28,
2010.
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Puppy Agility Fun! For puppies 5 to 12 months of age. Your energetic puppy will build his confidence as he is introduced to agility concepts and exercises. Plus, we keep working on his obedience skills as well. Channel his energy in productive directions.
UPCOMING Tuesday,
November 17th at 8:30 p.m.
Puppy Agility 2 Continuing: Tuesday,
September 22th at 7:15 p.m. Ends October 27th.
Puppy Agility 3 Tuesday, November 10th at 7:15 p.m. Ends December 15th.
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Intro to Agility
Prerequisite- Focus Foundation, similar class, or instructor okay.
UPCOMING Thursday, December 3-17 and January 14-28 at
7:30 p.m. (no class on December 24, 31, and January 7 due to holidays and
vacation)
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Beginning Agility Prerequisite- Intro to Agility or similar. Only 6 spots in this class.
UPCOMING: Wednesday, November 18th through
Dec. 23rd at 7:30 p.m.
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Intermediate Agility I & II
UPCOMING: Thursday, October 29th through December
10th at 6:15 p.m. No class on November 26th.
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Advanced/Masters Agility Handling & Skills For advanced agility dogs that are competing or skilled enough to do so and have graduated from Intermediate Agility or similar class. Must be proficient in all of the equipment.
UPCOMING CLASSES:
~Monday, November 9th through December 14th. 6:00 p.m., 7:15 & 8:30 p.m. ~Monday, December 21st
through January 25, 2010. 6:00 p.m., 7:15 & 8:30 p.m.
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Agility Special Events |
Get in on the action and have some fun!
Sign up now. Send your name, your dog's name, jump height and breed.
2009 DATES Sunday, November 29th Sunday, December
20th. 2010 DATES Sunday, January 17th Sunday,
February 7th Sunday, March 7th Sunday, April 4th (These dates subject
to change.) (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 infoVeterinary Chiropractic for your dog: Schedule an appointmentAre you interested in setting up an appointment with Dr. Michelle Jobert for a chiropractic exam and adjustment at a Fun Run at Lucky Dog? She is a veterinarian certified in chiropractic and acupuncture. She will come to the Fun Runs if at least 5 dogs are scheduled. Let me know of your interest and I will set it up for you. Find out more about her practice and what animal chiropractic can do to help your dog. |
News You Can Use |
Bark in the Park A Special Event for the Dog Lovers in our community. Demonstrations, dog events, children's activities, pet photographs, silent auction, vendor and exhibit area, music. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park 10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive (A1A), North Palm Beach, FL 33408 Sunday, December 6 from noon to 4pm Free with Park admission Lucky Dog will be there with a table and a clicker demo. Want to help?
Therapeutic Dog Massage Certified massage therapist, Stevi Quick, is making appointments to work on your dog. She is located in Jupiter. Email her.
Dog Paws Agility Fun Run
3312 Sage Avenue SW, Palm Bay, FL 32908
Saturday, October 31st
7:30am - Registration Email: Dalyce
Small dogs rule! If your dog is 17" or less at the withers, one year old or more, and trained on agility equipment, come on over to the Treasure Coast Humane Society where Little Laughing Dog Agility will be hosting its second Teacup Dog Agility Association test of skill on Saturday October 31, 2009 & Sunday, November 1, 2009. Email Carol Bowling for info.
AKC Obedience Match
Sponsored by the Jupiter Tequesta Dog Club, this "A" match is scheduled for Saturday, October 31st at 9 a.m. at the FAU Jupiter Campus. Contact Maureen Parsons for more information.
Run for the Animals 2009
This is the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office 3rd annual event and it will be held on Saturday, November 21st from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It benefits Greyhound Pets of America, A Second Chance Rescue, and, one of my favorites, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. Contact Barbara Masi for more information.
Florida Agility Trial Schedule Thanks to Tracey Hanna, here is a comprehensive trial listing, whether you want to compete, watch, or cheer your friends on. Click here.
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Special Mention |
 Yay, Cindy! I am thrilled for you. This awesome MACH title could not have happened to a nicer person or more dedicated trainer! And paws up to Brodie and Kota! ~Mindy "I would
just like to say a BIG "THANK
YOU"! Kota, Brodie & I appreciate all the help and
support my friends have given us since I started agility way back in 2003 - wow 6 years
ago. I can't believe we finally made it. I have had a wonderful time
and can't wait for what is to come.
Everyone of you has helped make this
milestone mean so much to me. It would not be any fun without you.
Thanks again!
Cindy Sullivan MACH Kota
& MACH Brodie |
FAQ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you have an at-a-glance way to see classes and events?
A: You betcha! 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.
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. Or you can call 561-427-6700 and I will sign you up over the phone.
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 our Contact page to find all this info (or find the info in this newsletter in the above right column.
Q: What training philosophy do you use?
A: We only use positive, reward-based, dog-friendly training methods at Lucky Dog. No jerking, pulling, ear pinching or other aversive methods are used. We introduce the training clicker into many of the classes so your dog has a quicker and clearer understanding of what you are teaching.
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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