Ottawa K9 School

A big thank you to Liz of ottawadogblog.ca for sending me this poster to put on my blog.

Bark Walkathon

The OCS team was in Fredericton for the May long weekend, to attend the 3 day Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers’s annual conference.

I attended conferences by Robin Bennet, and realized that I have one of her books (Off Leash Dog Play). Interesting conference, with a lot of videos to help explain the dogs’ non verbal language. Always good to have a reminder.

Off Leash Dog Play

I also attended a fascinating conferency by the infamous Dr. Jean Dodds, on canine vaccines. I learned a LOT and am convinced that I am doing the right thing by not having my dogs get an annual booster. I will go for the titer instead.

I was glad to see that Dr. Simon Gadbois was a speaker this year, as I quite enjoyed his conference last year. This year’s was also interesting, but seemed too short! I can’t get enough of hearing about animal behaviour and behavioural neuroscience.

Sean Senechal is the founder of the AnimalSign Centre where she is an animal language educator. Her conferences were touted as the highlight of the weekend, but to be honest, I was mildly disappointed. She examines the capability of dogs, cats and horses to learn language, but her presentation did not convince me that this was possible. Though I do believe that dogs understand words, I am not convinced that they can learn language, then use it to “make sentences”. I skipped her workshop to attend Sue Alexander’s conferences.

In fact, I think I attended all of Sue Alexander’s conferences. VERY interesting and thought provoking. What I liked most about her conferences, was that she gave us a LOT. Some of the more seasonned speakers didn’t seem to give us fresh, new food for thought but rather chose to rehash what they had written about (read it already, thank you very much), or spend TOOoooo much time on one topic. After Sue’s conferences, my head was spinning, ready to burst with all the information.

All in all, a wonderful weekend that is sure to make the OCS team even better!

Thanks to the CAPPDT for offering this continued education. I’m already planning on being in Calgary for next year’s.

* copied from the BARK website*

Bark Walkathon

NEW DATE NEW LOCATION

When: Sunday June 14, 2009

Where: The Bruce Pit – Hunt Club and Cedarview Drive

Time: Registration starts at 8 am walk starts at 9 am

Cost: Anyone who has not collected pledges will be required to pay a $25 registration fee

BBQ and all Activities are FREE for all Walk Participants

BBQ with hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks (veggie too)

Come out and join Codi Jeffreys, and the whole B.A.R.K. team for a fun filled family day. Barbecue and social will follow the walk with FREE hotdogs, hamburgers (veggie too) and ice cold drinks.

Again this year “The Bark Boutique” – Tons of wonderful Bark items for sale all proceeds to benefit Bark. Also the Bark Thrift Shop with tons of great items for fantastic prices

FREE Coffee and donuts available before the walk
FREE B.A.R.K. T shirt for anyone collecting $100 or more
$100 gas card for anyone collecting over $1000

Top Ten Prizes

1. $1000 Gas Card

2. $500 Gas Card

3. $500 Gas Card

4.Sue Bird Photo Session ($800 value)

5. Cottage Weekend for you and your dog(s)

6. Family Gym Membership

7. Bicycle

8. Bicycle

9. Video Camera

10. Oil Painting of your dog by Local Artist

Activities

• Agility demo – Shake-a-Paw Dog Training – Paola Hoger

• RDOC – Responsible Dog Owners of Canada – these are the people who lobby for our dogs rights

* check out the website (http://home.ican.net/~933435/UpcomingEvents.htm)for the map and pledgeform! Everest and Hemingway will be there!!! We are looking forward to this event.