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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Shelamo Man On A Journey CGN RN

We're pleased to Announce!

Judy Flanigan completed "Journey's" Rally Novice with 2 first places and 1 third at the beginning of October.  He also went from his agility class then into the obedience ring to obtain a qualify score for his first leg on his Pre-Novice.  Judy has only had this boy for 8 months!

Shelamo Man On A Journey CGN, RN

(Am/Cdn Ch Apple Acres Expedition ROM/C x Gralochs Blueberry Tart)

 pictured @ 8 months

here he is as a puppy enjoying spring 2012 @ one of his best bud's place -

photo by/with friend, Mary-lou Davidson

This is how "Journey" loves to express his excitement when he sees you!

Down boy, down!!!!!

Oh, this Man just LOVES LIFE!

Born with springs too!

Congrats Judy - he is SUCH a fun dog!

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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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Heart Breaking Losses

It is with a heavy heart that I have a few losses to talk about.

Back in early January one of our dedicated Shelamo clients, Judy Flanigan, had to say good bye to their "Truffles" after a year long battle of illness that did not see resolutions as much as was tried.

Then on May 21 their "Amber" at 13+ yrs of age, without much warning, became seriously ill, although treatment was tried, she was fading before them to which another hard decision had to be made.

Judy's dedication to these two girls was more than one could ask.  Her work with "Amber" to obtain obedience and rally titles after we retired her was more than we could have asked.

We send our condolences to the whole Flanigan family.

"Amber" and "Truffles" were 1/2 sisters out of our Shelamo's Party Pack ROMC.

on the left

Ch Shelamo's Sure Fire CD, RN
January 31, 2000 - May 21, 2013

on the right
Shelamo Truffle Delight CD, RN
March 15, 2005 - January 4, 2013

I will treasure this picture of "Amber" and I, taken at our CSSA National 2012 after her participation in the Veteran's Parade
 

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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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Monster Cute Photo Contest

 'Think we're working hard enough?'

 'Yum, I think we did it Kona!'

Timbit (Rescued Sheltie) and Kona (Dakota x Flirt litter) are working on making honey.

They've been entered in the PetsMart Monster Cute Photo Contest and if they win the owners will donate a portion to Southern Ontario Sheltie Rescue to help more shelties in need.

Please go vote here if you're on Facebook - and every day if you can!

https://apps.facebook.com/monstercute/showentry/1322883

after that photo shoot it was time to relax,

owners & pictures - Rachel & Matt Davidson

(PS  just another reason for obedience classes!   great sit/stays for pics like this)

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Ronas Hill Kraker-jak UD

Remembering - if it were not for my best bud, Kraker-jak, I'm not sure where I'd be today.  He taught me so much about the friendship we gain from dogs, and how each one teaches us something new in life.

With the recent passing of Barbara Ann Scott, who started her skating career at the Minto Skating Club, it brought to mind that, that is where I 1st started skating too, and there came a point I had a decision to make - I might have been 12 yrs or so, that either I continue skating or take the next obedience lesson as the class nights conflicted.  Guess what I chose?

One of my fav pics - many Sunday's the family would take a walk around Pink Lake in our Gatineau Hills

 Amazing once taught 'take it, hold it, give it' what we'd ask him to do!

 

 One of his last high jumps for his UD before he became ill

This is the 1st picture taken of the two of us.  Taken in 1967 by Jeanne White of the Ottawa Journal for an article on the Bytown Dog Obedience Club's very 1st Puppy Kindergarten class.

I am proud to say that I was the 1st youngest to ever go from the BDOC Puppy Kindergarten class to obtaining our Utility Degree.

 Am sure he is still by my side, guiding me with every class I teach.

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TIME TO THINK FALL DOG OBEDIENCE!!

Yes folks, hot humid weather seems to be over, and September is here .... but kids are going back to school and so should your pooch!  Come and spend one hour with you furkid and teach them how to be good canine citizens.

There are several west end classes you can look into that the City Of Ottawa offers

Practicing long downs during the spring session with lots of distractions

Puppy Kindergarten Class

Stittsville - Pretty Street Community Centre

Ages starting at 3 months of age to 6 months at start of class

Start date - Sept 25th, 6:30pm
and Nov 6th
5 wks
($60 for City residents)
__________________________
Level 1 and Level 2
8 wk course

Kanata - Glen Cairn Community Centre

Start date - Oct 24th
Level 1 - 6 pm

Level 2 - 7:15 pm

( $77.50 for City Residents)

Sit/Stays - for many reasons - great pictures are just one!

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"Karma" and Alexa - new Rally Title

We're pleased to hear that Shelamo Making Spirits Brite (Ch Fairfax Hallmark x Shelamo Tia Maria) obtained her Rally Novice title this past weekend.  She had 3 1st placements and 1 2nd.  Alexa and "Karma" are working on their Rally Advanced and are in agility too.

She has matured into such a lovely girl!  Congrats ladies on a job well done.

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Sheltie Strut ~ Shelamo New Ads

We're pleased to have our MBPIS BPISS Ch Flash Forward as the Cover Page for Sheltie Strut this coming week.
Our Shelamo dogs have done well this past year, in both conformation & the performance arena. You'll also find this advertisement in the Performance section.
These 3 Shelamo shelties are all owned, and were trained & handled by Judy Flanigan this past yr. I take my hat off to her for all her efforts in trailing 3 dogs this past year and achieving the rankings she did in not only Shelties but overall in Ontario & Canada. From what I can see, no other person achieved such high standards on 3 dogs this past year in Rally.

Interestingly all 3 dogs are descendent through our Shelamo's Party Pack ROMC.

In February check us out in the Feature Breeder's Corner!

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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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Dog Obedience - Time To Think What To Do

It's time to think of fall dog obedience classes. Do you have a 4-6 month old pup that you need that extra help in getting them under control? Are they still pulling you down the street? Not coming when called? Maybe it's time to get some help.

Many of the obedience classes, especially in my area of the City of Ottawa, start up in September.

my Level 1 spring class @ Glen Cairn Community Center does well enough with distractions to start to work outdoors

The City of Ottawa has gone Green, and thus there is no longer a printed guide. The guide is now on-line here at

ottawa.ca/recreationguide

Go to the Adult Program/Sports and scroll down to page 29 where you will see all the classes offered in the Ottawa area.

Why train? It not only gives you and your dog a one-on-one time to enjoy each others company, but it also gives you and your dog a more consistent way of understanding one another. Dogs want to please, and we need to show them how. You and your dog also work at becoming a good neighbour, and in this world where we are living closer and closer to one another, we must show others our dogs can be well behaved in public.

If you've completed Level 1, consider the advanced distraction and off leash work that is done in the 2nd level. Learn more about your dog's behaviour in various situations in a secured indoor environment, and then, how do you control them.

Level 1 - distracted outside heeling

we make it fun for all at Halloween too!

No dog is too old to learn, to be able to spend dedicated time with their owner, to exercise their mind and just get out and go somewhere they know they will have fun.

What have you done with your dog today?

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Spring Graduating Class

Had a great group of students for my Level 1 spring class at one of the community centres I teach at. They all showed remarkable improvement during the 10 wk course, and with the great weather we had at the end we were able to do some distraction training outdoors.

Willow, Bryn, Cooper, Rocky & Buddy

missing this nite was Cowboy

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Spring Obedience Classes

March break is almost over, time to think about getting your dog registered & out to some obedience classes, especially if you have a puppy. It really is an enjoyable, one on one time with you and your dog. They learn it's their special night out, they are going to see their pack of friends and learn something that pleases you.

You learn consistency, for without that in your day to day life with your dog .... well, for some your neighbours may not be too pleased, nor that owner & their dog you run into at the doggie park. Make some time ... your dog will love you for it!

These are my winter Level 2/3 students on their final night @ the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Center in the City of Ottawa.

You can also consider doing agility or even flyball depending on what your dog is inclined to do.

If you need inspiration and live in the Toronto area, this weekend (Wed-Sun) there is the All Star Dog Show sponsored by Purina where there are demos of everything from agility & flyball, dock diving, a Rare Breed Dog show and Dogs with Jobs ... now how cool is that?! Wish I lived closer as I'd be going.

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17th Annual Winter Garden Party

This past Sunday was a beautiful day for the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Winter Garden Party held at the community centre where I teach dog obedience. It was sunny, we'd had a light dusting of fluffy snow the day before and it was just below freezing.

This event takes place the weekend after our annual Winterlude concludes, so it makes for a great community outing with the kids. They have all kinds of things for the kids to do ... a scavenger hunt, face painting, marshmallow roasting by the fire, a small foot stomping band, door prizes, maple taffy this year, along with many of us that teach classes have a table where people can see what goes on. There were various demos, one that was all about these fancy remote vehicle/helicopters, along with our doggie demo with several of my obedience students attending where we taught the kids proper greeting & petting and showed the audience what they had learned to this point.

the sleigh rides out in the park area - that is our Ottawa River in the background

our Breeze with one of the mascots

one gentleman came with his therapy cat
my dog obedience display area with sisters Breeze & Pumpkin

maple taffy being prepared for Marylou & I

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