Shelties - Ottawa & Area

Been awhile since I last posted since we moved 4 years ago.  I no longer maintain our website.

I do however get regular requests for puppies, if not from folks wanting ones our old lines, then the names of kennels I know in my area.

My first suggested resource for Ontario in general is to go to the CSSA site https://www.canadianshelties.ca/ and contact the various directors for member referrals.

The local CKC breeders are

Laureate - Kim Aston 

Divine - Linda Labelle 

Kendale - Diane Biggar

Dury Voe - Judy Kelsey

Valley Gem - Bonnie Bird-Pappel

Velvetfog - Anne Brazeau

TLC - Tina King

Sharrow- Margaret Pratt (local resource for rescues)

All have websites, and are on Facebook either by name and/or kennel name.

A little update on me.  I’ve spent more time being able to work at agility with our ‘Ruffles’,  Shelamo Walk On Bi.  Covid has provided me with the time and ability to enjoy this outdoor sport with several classmates.  We’ve obtained 2 Q’s towards our starters jumpers. My first ever agility Q’s!

I was also able to teach Ruffles A bit of water safety, pool entry, and blowing bubbles while bobbing for treats thanks to Linda’s pool and the hot summer days  

I’ve helped breed and whelp two litters this spring, enjoyed outdoor socializing them, and doing puppy pics.

I’ve still been teaching dog obedience with the City of Ottawa however the fall course has now been cancelled due to moving back to a modified stage 2.  Here’s hoping we can reduce our covid numbers for a winter 2021 session. 

Stay safe.  Teach your dog something new that you can use in everyday life.

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2018 Dog Obedience - Ottawa

 

Ron Kolbus Lakeside Gardens

Graduating Class - Spring 2017

 

Many dog owners search for dog obedience classes and never find out that the City of Ottawa has several locations that offer it.

Dog obedience continues to be held at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Gardens Community Centre.

We have a large hall that offers a very secured environment.

You can follow this link to find out dates/times, locations and cost for the winter of 2018.

join.ottawa.ca

Could your dog do this?

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21st Winter Fest @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Gardens

For the past 21 years, the weekend after our Ottawa Winterlude, the Community Centre where I teach dog obedience holds a Winter Fest on the Sunday.  All the classes held there are asked to put on a short demo so the community can see/hear what is happening.  I had 7 dogs that participated in an obedience demo that I was proud of how they all performed.  It also gives a good opportunity for the kids to meet different dogs and learn how to properly approach and pet these dogs.  Kudos to my students for keeping this training in the forefront as they made their way around the building.

 Students waiting to go on stage

 Group photo

l-r - Erin w/Zoe; Karen w/Hudson; Marylou w/Harley, CC and Ruffles; Hal w/Schnapps; Odette w/Sadie; Jeanne w/Java; Al w/Chinook

 

 Zoe - she's come so far in just over a year!

Kudos to Erin for working with her and her consistency in day to day training

 Ruffles & CC (51/2mths) had their faces painted to show the kids they were part of the fun too!

 sleigh rides are always a big hit!  Ottawa river is in the background

once again the maple taffy pull - oh so sweet and sticky!

info table where participants get to meet us and the dogs during the event

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Another Obedience Session Finished

Just finished the fall session of a Level 1 and Level 2/3 at Ron Kolbus Lakeside Gardens, Ottawa.  Great two classes with a good number of students!  Here are a few pics of Graduation night; with a special presentation.

We had a young girl that came with her father who was training their dog, and with a few extra dogs we bring, this young girl wanted to participate and learn in her own way too.  So the experienced Harley was one she would work with.  She did as well as any of the adults in ensuring she did the exercises right, and made sure even the experienced Harley didn't make a mistake.

She also helped to leash/show train an up and coming 6 months old of mine, plus helped leash train a young puppy.

 Here is Pei training CC, with Harley looking on.

 Pei Pilgrim receiving her certificate for the Best Youngest Handler

(Harley approved!)

 Proud Pei and Harley
(above 2 photos thanks to Peter Pilgrim)

One of the Graduation requests I make is that each student teach their dog a 'trick', based on the fundamentals of training I teach.

 

 here's Ozzie doing his 'leave it'

Chico doing his 'dance'

and Ch "Trooper" taking a bow

Thank-you to all my students for doing such a great job with their canine friend, in making them a better family member and neighborhood resident.

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City Of Ottawa Fall Dog Obedience Classes

Hello to my fur friends living in and around Ottawa!

Have you thought about heading back to class this fall?  Interested in being a better Canine Neighbour?  Seeing some of your furry friends and having some personal time with just you and your 'mom' or 'dad'?

Well it's time to start staring at that owner of yours and getting them to hop to signing up for dog classes!

 

HELLO???!!!  Are you LISTENING to these brown eyes?

Please, Please, can we go to dog class so I can learn and see my friends?

 

outside @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Gardens Centre, Britannia Beach area by the Ottawa River

(north west Ottawa)

inside @ Glen Cairn Community Centre - Kanata

outside @ Glen Cairn Community Center - Kanata

Where you ask?  When, what time?  Here are a couple of options ....

Lakeside Gardens - Fall is September 23 to December 2nd - Level 1 @ 6:45, Level 2 @ 8pm

Glen Cairn - Fall is September 18th to November 27th - Level 1 @ 6pm, Level 2 @ 7:15 pm

Any dog over 4 months that has had their rabies vaccination can attend a Level 1 course.  Students must have completed a Level 1 course at one of these locations to attend the Level 2. (or speak to the course instructor to qualify)

Where to register ?

The City of Ottawa website - http://ottawa.ca/en/serviceottawa/recreation-and-culture/classes-and-activities-recreation-registration - click on Register, and search for dog obedience for the bar code  you require and then follow the on-line requirements.

Or visit any Recreation Centre or Client Services Centre - link here to find locations.

Hope to see many of you out for some fun learning times, and socialization in a new environment!

YIPPEE SAYS YOUR DOG,

WE'RE OFF TO LEARN AND HAVE FUN!

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Great Spring Advanced Dog Obedience Class

June 12th was the last of a 10 week course for my Advanced Obedience class at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Gardens.  Once we had more day light in the early evening, and better weather we were able to spend more and more time outside, which creates all those unknown distractions!  Just what this class needed.

We had the local buses coming in (air breaks!), squirrels, kids on bikes, beach volley ball going on, Canada Geese we got to 'herd' back into the Ottawa River, children in strollers, others taking their dogs for walks, and the smells of good food that comes from the Baja Burger Shack.

4 corner sit/stay, then .....

their recall with a controlled sit in front

 down stays on the rock wall

 Let me know when we're done this exercise :)!

 Geese be gone!  I'll just sit by mom and watch, to make sure they stay out there!

hummm ... wonder if the City would hire me for a summer job???

I'd keep this park clean as they don't pick up behind themselves.

 I'm just as good as that sheltie!

Love this silhouette shot of "Java" a Standard Schnauzer

 doing a stand stay for his photo, with some 18 courts of volley ball going on behind

The students were a delight to work with.

Hope my fur friends have a PAWsitively great summer!  See ya in the fall.

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Spring Dog Obedience Classes - City Of Ottawa

Don't forget, dog obedience classes start back in 2 weeks in the City of Ottawa.

Wednesday - Apr 3/13 - Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center - Bayshore/Britannia area

Monday - Apr 8/13 - Glen Cairn Community Center - Kanata

Advance dogs at Lakeside

Happy Easter!

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What's So Good About Teaching A "Long Stand"?

In my dog obedience classes I'm always asking the students to tell me, specifically, 5 reasons for a specific exercise.  I want them to be very specific, to their lifestyle and environment.

One might say ....

I ask my dog to sit when I'm preparing their dinner.
I ask my dog to sit before I put their dinner on the floor.
I ask my dog to sit when my grandmother comes in the door.
I ask my dog to sit before we go out the front door for a walk.
I ask my dog to sit when I put their collar on.
Sit quietly while waiting for my vet appointment.

Sit is an easy one ... but the stand, owners have a hard time with.  So when would you ask your dog to stand?

Wouldn't it be nice if they,

Stood, calmly while your vet listened to their lungs/heart?
Stood while you wiped their back paws before running across your rugs?
Stood calmly in the bathtub for a simple bath?
Stood calmly in the bathtub while the 5+ minute skunk removal application worked?!!!

and then there are reasons we just never consider in life ... like either an injury or a senior dog with mobility problems.

Paw-Pads Self Adhesive Traction Pads

Check out this link and then go to the "Sizing & instructions" page.
It reads ...

"To Activate the Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive:
After applying, have your dog stand with full weight on pads for 60-90 seconds. This will activate the pressure-sensitive adhesive. They should not feel Paw-Pads™ once applied."

Now you might think this silly, but I'm considering it for an aging senior we have at the moment, especially for her rear paws that tend to slip out from under her on our non-carpeted surfaces.

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Spring - City of Ottawa Dog Classes

Spring is just around the corner!!  Is it time to think about some training for you and your puppy, or older dog?  Let's all work at making our fur friends good neighborhood citizens.

 with my best bud "Rocky" 

The City of Ottawa offers several levels of dog obedience.  I've been teaching out of the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center off of Richmond/Carling Ave, since 1994 (Lev 1-3).  Classes are also held in Kanata @ the Glen Cairn Community Centre (Lev 1 & 2), and for Puppy Kindergarten, in Stittsville.  Registrations are now open on-line (search dog obedience) or you can call the City directly @ 311.  Classes start beginning of April.

 

 How's your recall?

 

 practicing long downs with distractions @ Lakeside Gardens

 long sits

graduating class

Finding reasons for what you train for - and putting them into practice!

a group Xmas picture!

Hope to see you there.  Happy Dog Days!

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Coming 20th Annual Lakeside Winter Garden Party

This weekend coming, February 24th @ the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Gardens, there will be the 20th Annual Winter Garden Party!  Loads of fun things to do with the kids, enjoying indoor and outdoor times.

Time - 11:30 to 2pm.

Here's a quick snap shot of photos I've taken from years gone by.

  sleigh rides

 kids dancing to music

 

taffy pull

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Winter Dog Obedience Graduating Class

March 5th was Graduation Night for my 2 dog obedience classes at the Glen Cairn Community Centre in Kanata. Here are four of the dogs, doing their long sit/stays in the Level 2 class. Good job handlers!

Schnapps, Java, Zoey & Hudson

Looking forward to the spring sessions at both Glen Cairn & Ron Kolbus Lakeside Gardens. These are classes through the City of Ottawa (search dog obedience, Monday and/or Wednesday).

Hope to see some new faces with their newest fur friend additions!

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19th Annual Lakeside Winter Garden Party

Another year of Fun! at the 19th Annual Ron Kolbus Lakeside Community Centre's Winter Garden Party. This is the Community Centre where I've taught dog obedience since 1994. There are various booths representing the classes offered, games for the kids, face painting, scavenger hunt, demonstrations, music, outside activities and prizes to be won.

It was a beautiful sunny day for it - windy to start & cold but that let up and the temperature improved. We'd had little snow up until the weekend, but with the snow storm the outdoor activities were able to go on. The horse drawn sleigh rides were there, a fire pit for roasting marshmallows, and a taffy pull area. The event was very well attended, keeping us busy. I realized when I went through my pictures I'd taken very few this year.

Mary Lou, Mary-Anne & Andrea (student work volunteer experience) were there with me. We took Harley (Mary Lou's boy), Chinook, Moxi, our 4+month old girl Gem, and 10 wk old boy Journey.

Our booth with Andrea & Mary-Anne with Chinook on the table

The stuffed sheltie, Chinook & Moxi on the table greeting visitors. Which ones are real kids?
Andrea is holding Journey who by this time was tiring out.
Chinook with the Mascot this yr.Chinook as a puppy with the Mascot in 2009!
Journey's turn with the Mascot

The Ottawa City Councillor was in attendance, Mark Taylor - a little cuddle time with Journey

We put on a short obedience demonstration with Harley keeping in mind our goal with dogs are to have them be good canine citizens. It was then the kids turn to learn how to properly greet a dog with its owner.

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Winter Grad Class ~ Lakeside

I teach dog obedience at 2 locations for the City of Ottawa. The 1st class graduated on Dec 2 at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Gardens. It was a Level 2/3 advanced class. I had a great time teaching this class as was small, and diverse enough that we were able to do all kinds of work. With the weather being nice, some daylight still available, along with a well lit area, for the 1st 5 classes we worked outside for 1/2 hr in a very distracted environment. I think everyone accomplished more than they had expected, with some AH HA moments. The students helped each other work through some of their 'kinks' too, which showed me they'd learned how to put small steps of achievements together.

back row ~ Java & Schnapps
front row - Shadow, GPS-Y, Harley & Taco

Aren't long downs great for photo opps!

As a side note, the 19th Annual Winter Garden Party will be held on February 26, 2012.
Great fun for the kids.

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