Archive for 'APDT'

Are You Enrolled in a Canine Life and Social Skills Program?

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 12:35 am  
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It looks like my pet parent is checking out the Canine Life and Social Skills Program to promote training using positive reinforcement. It has been been developed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers to strengthen relationships between us dogs and our pet parents. I am all for that. Strong relationships are what keep us in our homes in spite of what we do…

Puppy with Pillow Stuffing

I Didn't Do It!

how we look (dirty & scraggly), or how much maintenance we require (annual vet visits).

This program is similar to the American Kennel Club’s S.T.A.R. Puppy Program

American Kennel Club Socialization Training Activity and Responsibility

Socialization-Training-Activity-Responsibility

and Canine Good Citizen Program in that life skills are taught and then tested by certified evaluators.

Recognition for a Canine Good Citizen

Are You Ready to Become a Canine Good Citizen?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The APDT C.L.A.S.S. program is based on input from both dog owners and non-dog owners, shelter workers and professional dog trainers. It is a 3-level evaluation for our pet parents to demonstrate our real-life skills and their basic knowledge of how to handle and care for us. The positive, reward-based training minimizes the chance that we will be punished and increases the chances of having fun with our pet parents.

We can earn a B.A., M.A., or Ph.D. certificate as we progress with our skills. An entire curriculum is available for use by shelters to either enhance their present programs or to create a new one. The dogs waiting for homes can be evaluated for no cost and then listed in the C.L.A.S.S. web site ins the “dogs for adoption” section…train ‘em up and match ‘em up! Fees for other dogs are only $5.00

The APDT designed C.L.A.S.S. with the needs of shelter dogs in mind. This makes the shelter dogs more adoptable.Knowing basic skills will increase the shelter pet’s chances of staying in their new home.  The marketing behind the C.L.A.S.S. program will attract people to these precious pets.

So ask yourself these questions:

  • Can you wait at the door?
  • Come when you are called?
  • Allow your leash to be attached?
  • Walk loosely on a leash and stare adoringly at  your pet parent?
  • Meet people nicely when you are out and about?
  • Leave the “untouchable” items untouched?
  • Wait for your food bowl to be placed in front of you?
  • Stay in one spot?
  • Settle down your wiggle butt?

If you can do these things, then you are ready to become a B.A. with C.L.A.S.S.

Have your pet parent study the rules and requirements in the Student Handbook. The components of Canine Life and Social Skills includes educating your pet parent in responsible dog ownership and positive reinforcement, assessing real-life skills, encouraging ongoing training, expanding the opportunities for those of us that are well-behaved and supporting shelters and rescues.

Scientific research has shown that we dogs do not behave “badly”; we just exhibit normal dog behaviors to get our needs met or to resolve conflict. We don’t feel guilty at all because we don’t know right from wrong. We just know what works and we figure out a way to get what we feel that we need.

Your pet parent will have to pass a multiple-choice test on dog information and ownership. They will learn how to relate to you by setting clear boundaries for you rather than confronting you with drama.

Positive, reward-based training works! How have your pet parents “trained” you?

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia

How to Understand Dog Body Language

Monday, April 11th, 2011 at 11:02 pm  
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We would like to think that our pet parents understand our body language. My pet parents’ greatest challenge is getting the visitors to our home or the people we meet to understand what message I am conveying. Some people just don’t get it when I say “You scare me” but they say, “Oh, what a fluffy dog! Let me hug her tightly!”

As a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, my pet parent is happy to know that APDT has partnered with Doggone Safe to educate people about us. Doggone Safe also provides dog bite victim support. You may have heard pet parents yelling “Be a Tree” before whenever we get excited and run after the kids or jump on them to hear them scream. Doggone Safe also offers online courses about dog body language and occupational bite prevention. I think they must be trying to educate the mailmen and especially those UPS truck drivers that ring my doorbell!

Doggone Safe has announced the International Dog Bite Prevention Challenge. Presenters are asked to visit schools and educate 50,000 children about dog safety in a single week. I felt like I had done that in a matter of a few hours when I went to a career day and the teenagers packed in so close around me that my body language conveyed that I wanted to find the closest exit.

May 15-21, 2011 is Dog Bite Prevention Week and this is when the Challenge will take place. Presenters in 17 countries, 11 Canadian provinces and 43 states in the United States are ready to put Doggone Safe into the Guinness Record book by teaching more about dog language.

Time is flying by. Become a program sponsor by purchasing supplementary branded learning materials such as coloring books, paint sheets, a story book, a poster, stickers, bookmarks and fridge magnets that help to teach children to be a tree when they see our excited body language.
Go to the Doggone Safe website at www.doggonesafe.com.

Learn more about understanding dog language by watching this video from the clickerpuppytrainer:

Living in the moment,
Schatzi
Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson