What's New:

What an amazing year, so much has happened!  As I sit here in the office looking out at the rain and the deer grazing on the front lawn... no, not real ones, lighted electronic Christmas ones... I find myself wishing I were herding with Crash in Leona Valley OR that I had moved away from Los Angeles like our friends Sharon and Bud, Roby and Keith and Jean and Dan!  I have received email photos and Christmas letters describing the life in colder parts of the climate away from the hustle and bustle of the big city and I have to admit it sounds completely alluring... but they are all retired and we... MUST KEEP WORKING!  I love my job but the grass does look greener, or in this case snow white, on the other side.  However, I do love my job.  I do not know if Doug shares the same love for his work that I do, but I know he loves Newcal Electric.  We both love our home here, friends and clients; and the diversity that LA has to offer, that is what keeps us going... but one day... maybe a home in the woods somewhere! 

Barbara's wonderful dog, Amante, passed away this past year, and I lost my Chance in October of 2006, we were both devastated.  However, she got Landis (who you can see by her bio on the website) and I got Crash (in last year's Christmas photo and on the bio section of the website)!  Barbara and Gerry spent some time this year at a seminar with the renowned trainer, Steve White, up in Northern California.  Later in the year they went to "dog beach" with their four footed "kids."  They also did a number of sessions and puppy parties with Mona Webb, our colleague, nervous they had bitten off more than they could chew with their new charge, Landis!  They wanted a new perspective on this "working" dog they got themselves into!  They also decided to do a home and landscaping remodel just before Landis came... not smart, but who knew?  That is just how things go sometimes!  They also went to New York just before Barbara's birthday to visit Mom and Dad, and the new Newfie puppy there! 

Barbara and I also went to the APDT conference in Portland, Oregon, and learned all sorts of new stuff to bring you in the New Year.  We made some new friends too!  I attended Ray Coppinger's seminar in Long Beach and Kellie Snider's seminar in Riverside, and the Clicker Expo earlier in January.  Barbara and Karen both achieved Certified Pet Dog Trainer certifications at the end of 2006. 

Vivi Sparvoli and Dan Syverson joined us this year.  Dan has been with us a whole year now!  Dan's Boston terrier, Myrtle, won Best of her Class and Winners Bitch, on her first time out at a Torrance dog show this summer.  Dan and Myrtle have also been pursuing Rally obedience. Dan and his partner, Lee, bought a travel trailer they have really been enjoying the camping whenever they can get away.  Dan also traveled back to his home state of Iowa in June for a family reunion/funeral, " ... because that's the only time you see anybody," he says.  Vivi and Dan have been "fine tuning" their dogs' advanced agility skills at Valley Hills Obedience Club; they thought they were good before but now, whew!  Dan also has untapped talents as a pet sitter and has been dog walking for some of my clients in the NoHo/Burbank area (since Barbara and Gerry are not accepting new pet sitting clients).  Do I smell a new career, Dan? 

Vivi and Barbara have been crazy busy with their rescue work.  Barbara has been at Pet Orphans (doing most of their in-home adoptions), and Vivi, at Animal Rescue Volunteers, (doing fostering and web stuff, as well as coordinating the Wag N' Walk this year).  Vivi has also been helping to train rescue dogs at the East Valley Shelter with an amazing group of trainers that volunteer their spare time to help keep these dogs adopted out once they go!  Vivi also does preliminary dog evaluations at shelters and dog rescues for an organization in Ojai called the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation that rescues over the top, hyperactive, rescue/shelter dogs for scent work (detection, etc.).  Oh, and Vivi won with her team at the John Rogerson Biathlon in Acton and her teammates were Laurie over at VHOC (one of our Rally Obedience Instructors) and Heidi Okura, way to go team! Vivi continues to hunt for just the right job in the computer programming/advanced data processing ....  Let us know if you need a rockin' employee or want to contract work out to her!

Amy Herot and her crew accepted our offered to bring a FUN NOSE WORK class to the San Fernando Valley and the response was so overwhelming we sold out in 4 days.  She has also been helping Barbara explore Landis' "nose" talents.  Barbara has also been pursuing competition obedience as well with Moira Cornell, and Rally Obedience, both at Valley Hills.  She is also out at Karen Wessinger's GemStar Ranch doing herding with him now; I do not know how she finds the time!  I am just doing the Herding and Rally Obedience with Crash because that is all I can muster with a three year old at home!  We are all enjoying working with our own dogs, thanks Sarah and Laurie at Valley Hills Obedience club, and Karen at GemStar Ranch! 

Our puppy parties have been a raging success, even if our affiliation with puppy parties' dot org has not panned out (just a lack of posting our parties on a timely basis on their part).  We also seemed to be the only ones actually having parties (judging by the postings).  In addition to Fun Nose Work,  we added a new location for beginning level obedience this year at Northridge Park on Reseda Boulevard and it has been sold out every time! 

My son has a new kitten named Juju, thanks to Vivi's rescue efforts.  Barbara, Vivi and I parked our cars at Tarzana Park at 6:30pm to travel in one car to a session, Vivi found a kitten in a tree and could not get it down, then the fire dept. showed and they could not get it down!  That kittened decided to hang around ‘til we came back at 10:30pm!  Needless to say I could not just leave a 3 month kitten out at a park all night, so.. just what we needed, another animal!  Bryce, my son, said, "her name is Juju."

       I said, "I wanted to name her Smudge for the grey mark on her head."

He said, "No MAMA, JUJU!"  And so it is Juju.  I hope having white kitten IS good juju! Right now she has escaped thru the dog door and is crying in the garage! 

Doug, Bryce and I visited Salt Lake City for a week to see Doug's sister and family.  We went to Lake Tahoe for a week to stay with Grandma (Doug's mom) at her timeshare, then to Maryland to see my family for a week for Thanksgiving.  Tomorrow Bryce and I leave for Las Vegas to see his great grandmother (my Tutu)... whew we are tired of traveling! 

My husband is a now a Foreman on a new job that will last a few years, yeah for income...boo for vacations!  He built a studio in the back yard this year for his band "bros" to have a cost free "jam" area, what talent!  I could not do any of this without the support of my awesome hubby.  Not to mention the support of my mother-in-law "pinch hitting" to take care of my son because I am never home!  I have been back to boarding and training this year, thanks to Doug's help.  I am also doing boarding for client's dogs.  Mostly I am enjoying watching them play in the yard with Crash and Tweak when I have spare time. 

Thank you for continuing to bring your dogs to us for training and boarding.  And thanks to you, and your dogs, for continuing to teach us!  The most important things that we learn do not come from a book or a seminar, it comes from you, our clients, our mentors, our families, our friends, and... yes...our dogs (and yours).  We love each and every one of you ... you are the reason I do not pack up and go to the Mountains!  Let us know if we can be of service! 

The whole family without cats.

Frodo, Chance and me 10 years ago!

With all the best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season and New Year, 

Karen, Doug, Bryce and the Crew and Critters at My Best Friend Obedience 

www.mybestfriendobedience.com

818 996 3647

Links
If you are interested in links with the MY BEST FRIEND Website, let me know.  (818) 996-3647...Karen Taylor or k9frend@earthlink.net.  WE DO SCREEN everyone we link with!

We bring you a FUN NOSE WORK CLASS at 8:00AM for six weeks cost is $160.00, contact My Best Friend Obedience if you enroll for this special event we, only accept  6 students for this class and the course is 1.5 hours long each week, THE CLASS Starts on April 20^th, 2008 (This Session Sold Out, next session to be announced), Click here to Pre-Register

MBFO ALUMNI IN ACTION!

 Here is the link for the CNN news program that Molly and I were on.  Ginny Paws That Refresh on TWC
 

THE Puppy Party 

I met a trainer, he actually approached me about interning a few years back, and he said he had this cool website where puppy owners could host puppy parties at their location for other pups to help socialize them.  I thought to myself, what a great idea!  So we are doing one here at My Best Friend Obedience on 5/18/08, 6/29/08, 7/27/08, 8/24/08, 9/21/08, 10/19/08, 11/16/08, and 12/14/08. All will be held on Sunday afternoon at 4pm.  You will need to call the office or email to be put on the list to attend and get directions.

Enrollees will need to sign a release form and bring their puppies current vaccine records (even if they are not complete), a copy of the last veterinary report, or something current giving your pup a clean bill of health, bring a pair of rarely used shoes to change into so you don't bring in any diseases on your feet.  And please bring a clean pup that has not been to a dog park or walked frequently in public areas, we want to keep risk of disease non-existent.  Donations for the hostess are welcome.  If your puppy has ANYTHING (cold, mange, fleas, worms, or if he might have something) he/she will not be welcome, sorry, maybe next time.  No puppies over 5 months old please!  No pups younger than 9 weeks. RSVP required!

Check out our latest puppy party pictures ~> click here

Protect Your Pet and Keep LA Healthy.

Today, dog owners must be extra careful about maintaining their dog's health and preventing their pet from being exposed to disease.  There are two life-threatening diseases known as Canine Parvovirus and Canine Distemper that are increasingly reaching the digestive systems of our healthy pets.  These diseases can cause dogs to have partial or total paralysis, irreparable nerve damage, vomiting and diarrhea.  Without catching the disease early enough or providing your pet with extensive hospitalization, death may occur within 72 hours.  There is also a parasite known as Giardia, which not only affects dogs, but also causes humans to have diarrhea and abdominal pain.  Although Giardia is easier to treat, it also is more prevalent throughout communities. 

Recently, the South Los Angeles Animal Shelter discovered a Giardia breakout, which resulted in 30-40 dogs being infected. Fortunately none of the pets had to be euthanized, as all infected dogs were promptly treated.  Dr. Steven Feldman, of Los Angeles Animal Services, stated "The transferring of Giardia can be from animal to animal, person to person, animal to person or person to animal.  Prevention is based on good sanitation practices to prevent ingestion of any feces, contaminated food, water, or objects.  It is important to dispose of waste materials in such a way that they cannot contaminate surface or ground water." 

The increased spreading of such diseases is in part due to pet owners not picking up after their dogs.  That's right!  When someone doesn't pick up after their dog, your pet's chances of getting infected with one of these diseases are increased. 

As a matter of fact, not picking up after your dog is also very harmful to the environment.  Unattended dog waste gets unintentionally washed down into our storm drain system when it rains. This toxic mix of dog waste and water then flows untreated into our local waterways and ocean.  The bacteria found in the fecal matter affects our aquatic life, the tourism industry, our economy, and those who swim at our beaches.  This is a consequence that can negatively impact not only our pet's health, but our own health as well. 

Don't let what happened in the South Los Angeles Animal Shelter take place in your neighborhood.  It is important that as dog owners, we do our part and pick up after our pet and remind our neighbors and friends to do the same.  This is especially important because if your neighbor isn't picking up after their dog, you and your healthy pet has the potential to be affected by their negligence.  Remember to do the right thing.  Pick up after your dog and continue to protect our pets and the environment. 

For more information on how you can help prevent Stormwater pollution, please call 1-800-974-9794 or visit www.lastormwater.org

CGC Training/Testing
CGC Test Items

Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. We believe that responsible dog ownership is a key part of the CGC concept and by signing the pledge, owners agree to take care of their dog's health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life. Owners also agree to show responsibility by doing things such as cleaning up after their dogs in public places and never letting dogs infringe on the rights of others.

After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and their dogs are ready to take the CGC Test. Items on the Canine Good Citizen Test include:

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.

Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.

Test 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.

Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler's movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.

Test 5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.

Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the handler's commands. The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side.

Test 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.

Test 8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.

Test 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.

Test 10: Supervised separation
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, "there, there, it's alright").

Equipment

All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special training collars such as pinch collars, head halters, etc. are not permitted in the CGC test. We recognize that special training collars may be very useful tools for beginning dog trainers, however, we feel that dogs are ready to take the CGC test at the point at which they are transitioned to regular collars.

The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The owner/handler should bring the dog's brush or comb to the test.

Encouragement

Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the test. The owner may pet the dog between exercises. Food and treats are not permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky toys, etc. to get the dog to do something. We recognize that food and toys may provide valuable reinforcement or encouragement during the training process but these items should not be used during the test.

Failures - Dismissals

Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed. The only exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable in test Item 10, but only when test Item 10 is held outdoors.

Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to attack a person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be dismissed from the test

For more information see http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm
 

Obediently yours,
Karen Taylor
(818) 996-3647