Dan Shaw's workshops

We had an excellent workshop with Dan Shaw last night, Dan is a behaviourist and the work he does to help dogs become calm, relaxed, focussed and happy, balancing drive and control, is really excellent. One of my first blog entries was an article published in the Agility Voice magazine and the diagram above is taken from it. I believe that one of the fundamental keystone qualities required for good agility competition performance is the relationship that you have with your dog. Your ability to develop a happy, motivated dog that is in the right frame of mind to work with you is developed by the kind of games and exercises that Dan went through in his workshop. I am hoping that Dan will be able to come back regularly over the winter for more workshops, if you would like to join one of his puppy or one life skills workshops let me know!

New term this week

Just a quick note, if anyone has come across an interesting course at a show this year that they would like to share with everyone or train on, or have found over the summer there are particular things they are having difficulties with or would like to improve, or if there is anything that comes to mind that you would like to spend more time working on, please let me know now and I will work it into this terms training plans. It may be particular sequences, but we have also talked a bit about the right frame of mind and thinking positively, or perhaps you might think your waits need more proofing, or there may be something else you want to work on.

If you have a dog that is anxious or gets nervous or stressed, don’t forget Dan Shaw is coming to Effingham this Thursday evening for a life skills workshop (I will be there with Zazzy!) He is a very good and positive trainer. He will also be doing a puppy workshop this Thursday. I have already mentioned the training days with Toni Dawkins and Matt Goodliffe over the winter, if there is any other sort of workshop you would like to have (Mark Laker runs presentations on sports psychology, Kamal Fernandez runs workshops on developing a very motivated working partnership with your dog , Jez Rose is a dog behaviourist and a very effective and funny presenter,  we could get someone in to check our dogs’ backs and fitness, etc) let me know!

We have also mentioned  bringing in a kettle so that we can make tea and coffee at the venue, and how about getting together for a Christmas meal near the end of the year?

Finally I have made a resolution to keep a training diary, it is a very useful thing to do and something I would encourage everyone else to also consider!

Hannah J

New Term next week

I am looking forward to another term with some exciting training ahead.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who has picked up after their dogs, but could I please stress that you must dispose of your bag straight away, there are bins around the yard, please do not just leave them lying around!

 

 

Workshops with Dan Shaw 20th Sept

There will be two workshops with Dan Shaw Thursday 20th Sept. At 6pm there will be an hour and a half with puppies. At 7:30pm there will be a workshop for an hour and a half for life skills, for those dogs that are anxious, nervous or reactive. Both will be small groups and will cost £20.

Penultimate workshops on Thursday

One hour Grid workshop at Effingham, 6:30pm Thursday 13th Sept, turns workshop for one hour at 7:30pm, max 6 in group, £10 or £9 for Effing members.

Congratulations to Colette and Rocky

Huge congratulations to Colettel and Rocky for qualifying for Olympia! :-)

Planning two new classes

I am very excited about planning two new classes, one for life skills for dogs that have problems with other dogs, people, noise, movement etc, and the second a puppy class for life skills, building motivation and control, training shadow handling and verbal cues, co-ordination and balance, and all the important foundations for pre-agility dogs. I am hoping that Dan Shaw will be able to come in every other week to teach each class, each of which will be an hour and a half long. We have struggled a bit to find the best night and decided that through the winter Friday evenings might be the best option. Let me know if you are interested!