Spring Training, Masks & Zooming

Training Center

news & updates

March 2021 | Issue 2

Did you know...

Redfern's Betsy Howell was the first NACSW-certified Nosework instructor in south central PA? She's also an AKC Nosework judge! She's got a nose for getting it right. Got a question about nosework? Ask Betsy.

Portia's Piece:

How to Be a YouTube Star...And Do Your Rally Testing!

We all know that we're the superstars of the family? Who doesn't like a charming, well-behaved pup? But I'm here to tell you that we were meant to be in pictures.

The AKC is offering testing for Rally via YouTube through 2021. I'm planning to bring Betsy along to do it myself. And I'll report back here; maybe I'll even post my own video.

You can too! Want all the details? Head on over to the AKC's website here for all that you and your person will need to know.

And, if you are ready to try a Rally course by video, we have scheduled JUST that! We will be offering the opportunity on Saturday, March 27, for you to video your Rally Novice or Intermediate run and to submit it to AKC for credit towards your Rally title. Sign up for your own time slot by emailing Betsy.

Where are the puppies? I want to snuggle...

Mother Nature dictates when puppies will arrive more than we do! That being said, keep your eyes open for news of both Cavalier and Labrador puppies come this fall. We're anticipating a full house!

What's Rally & Why Should We Try it?

There are good reasons to do Rally training above and beyond competition. Rally training provides a unique opportunity for you and your pup to bond. Rally is all about communication between dog and handler. Any chance you have to improve the connection between you and your dog automatically results in building a better, stronger relationship. Rally has an amazing side effect in that it promotes loose leash walking, which in turn, strengthens your bond and comfort level in a skill we use every single time we snap a leash onto our dogs for their daily walks.

So, what exactly is Rally? Rally calls for a handler/dog team to navigate a course with signs for specific tasks. While you aren't permitted to touch your dog, you are encouraged to use your voice and body in a positive manner to negotiate the course successfully. And it's a lot of fun! Want to know more? Click here for more details.

Want to give it a try? Rally I begins on April 17th. Register here.

We Want to See Your Pups!

As long as we're Zooming now, we thought it might be a good time to get more social online with our clients. We're asking you to show our Facebook page a little love by posting pictures of your dogs, and a fun fact about them, so we can get to know you a little better. Come visit us on Facebook right here.

And just to start us off, here's a fun fact about Portia. She truly believes she's a Labrador Retriever. Not only does she run with the big dogs, she plays with their toys, which are pretty much as big as she is!

COVID Guidelines STILL in Place

As you know, guidelines are continually changing in an effort to keep everyone safe.

While we are moving through the vaccination phase and heading toward herd immunity, we aren't there yet. Hopefully, warmer temperatures and an increasing number of people who have been vaccinated will soon have us back to 'normal' for classes.

In the meantime:

All staff and visitors to the center must have a temperature check prior to entering. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of class. Remain in your car, with your mask on, until your temperature has been checked and you are given permission to enter. Then potty your pup and c'mon in.
Masks are mandatory. Please put your mask on before your temperature check and leave it on until you return to your car after class.
Six foot rule applies now more than ever. Our standing rule to keep dogs apart now applies to owners as well.
Restroom etiquette. Although we encourage everyone to use restroom facilities before coming to class, we understand that sometimes nature calls. We do not have adequate staff to sanitize restroom multiple times during class. As such, we ask you to use the provided cleaning supplies to "clean as you go" and sanitize by following the simple posted guidelines in our restrooms.

Redfern Canines Class Schedule: Come & Train,

We Miss You!

Want a detailed description of nosework class, or need to know when rally is offered? Head on over to the Redfern Canines website for up-to-date scheduling, descriptions and registrations. All in one place. Easy-peasy.

A Word in Favor of Hands-On Training Your Own Dog

Long-time clients of Redfern Canines will remember the saga of Chiron as he learned how to be a service dog. There were stairs and elevators and a host of obstacles to overcome. Together, we did it all. But that was just the beginning of the story for Chiron and Tim.

As a village, we had provided Chiron with the knowledge of specific tasks. After that, training began for Chiron and Tim together. It wasn't enough that Chiron had learned these skills; he and Tim needed to figure out how to apply these skills together.

The very best training starts with a partnership between you and your dog. There will be success and setbacks along the way, but they will belong to a strong team outfitted with the knowledge of how to proceed, how to move on, and how to improve.

Give yourself, and your dog the gift of that strong connection. You won't regret it.

Promise.

Zooming Right Along:

Notes from Betsy on Virtual Classes

I never would have believed I'd be training dogs online. Never. But then again, 2020 made many 'nevers' commonplace.

Believe it or not, our Zoom classes have gone well. Since they're conducted LIVE, I can still offer feedback to each handler/dog team in real time. I can still tweak where I need to so that both you and your dog can be successful. It's turning out to be a powerful training tool.

Thanks so much to the folks who had faith to jump in and try as I was learning, and who offered valuable feedback to make the classes work even better. It's worked so well, we're thinking of offering Rally, Canine Good Citizen and Tricks classes virtually as well. What do you think? Shoot me an email here, and let me know. Betsy