Introducing.... Sara Brueske

I am just so excited to be bringing Sara Brueske to New Zealand, for the first time ever in November 2018. She will be traveling to both New Zealand, and Australia on this trip. I have followed Sara with interest for several years now taking one of her online classes through the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy.

Some of Sara's upcoming Fenz courses include: 

• Tricks with a purpose
• Disc dogs: handlers choice
• ALL THE SPORTS: Foundations for the cross-training canine

Sara Brueske has been training dogs for over 15 years, and has experienced a large variety of breeds and sports during that time. Having graduated as a Karen Prior Academy Certified Training Partner in 2011, she jumped into the professional dog training world. Sara believes in positive reinforcement not only for dogs but for their handlers as well. Her biggest joy is watching a handler and dog become partners and grow as a team. Currently, she competes in the sports of disc dog, agility, dock diving, mondioring as well as being a trick dog enthusiast. Sara and her dogs demonstrate the sports of disc, agility and dock diving in over 300 dog sports shows for the public each year at the Purina Farms in Grey Summit, MO and they compete nationwide in the US. Having recently re-entered the competition disc world Sara and her dogs earned the titles of 2016 and 2017 UpDog International Freestyle Champion as well as placing on the podium twice with her young Papillion in the 2018 UpDog International Finals. One unique note about Sara is that she owns dogs from a variety of breeds and origins ranging from a scruffy-faced shelter mix to Belgian Malinois. Currently, she is developing her Australian Koolie breeding program and has a special interest in early puppy development and raising puppies for sports. Rescue is a large part of Sara's life and she stays active in this community by fostering, transporting, and helping dogs in need. 

The New Zealand workshops will occur in the Waikato, and will consist of three separate workshops on Saturday the 17th, and Sunday the 18th of November 2018. 

1. Day 1: Engagement and Sports Foundations

No matter the canine sport or goal, our partnership with our dogs is the most important aspect of training. Join Sara for a one-day workshop devoted to building your relationship with your dog. She will discuss how to develop engagement from your dog, spot problem areas in your relationship, and create a clear communication system that is catered to your specific goals as well as how to build useful play. Each working team will receive one-on-one time as well as participate in group activities (accommodations can be made for nervous, shy, or reactive dogs). 

This workshop will also cover essential sports foundation skills. Sara has spent the last two decades training and competing in multiple dog sports and has come to the realization that these sports have more in common with one another than many people realize. Sara has developed a foundation plan that capitalizes on the similarities between the sports to prepare any dog for a cross training future. Spend the day learning which behaviors to teach, when to teach them and how to apply them to the sport (or sports!) that your dog loves. 

Working spots are $220 for the full day (spots are limited)

Auditing spots are  $90 for the full day. 

      2. Day 2AM: IPO style obedience and secondary obedience skills

Want precise heeling? A fast retrieve and crisp positions? Struggling with impulse control during protection? This seminar will cover IPO-style obedience on a variety of topics catered towards the attending working spots. Problem-solving will be available as well.  

Working spots are $110 for the half day (spots are limited)

Auditing spots are  $45 for the full day. 

       3. Day 2 PM: Tricks and disc

This workshop will cover tricks that can be used in a variety of places, including freestyle disc. Tricks such as body stalls, rebounds, dog catches, leg weaves and much more will be covered. Learn about shaping, luring and how training conceptual behaviors can give you a jump start on a variety of unique and exciting tricks. Like previous workshops the variety of skills worked on will depend on the needs of the working spot participants. 

Working spots are $110 for the half day (spots are limited)

Auditing spots are  $45 for the full day. 

Currently there are auditing spots available in all workshops, and TWO places available in Day 2AM: IPO style obedience and secondary obedience skills. 

If you have any other questions, or would like to grab a spot email me (Kelly) on: hybriddogtraining@gmail.com 

 

Sports Assessment Day

I'm very excited to announce that I'll be working through Red Dog Rehabilitation, at the Southern K9 Therapy Centre in the near future to provide fitness appointments to clients in the Auckland area with more regular opportunities to have appointments with me.

I will update when I'm available for these appointments on this blog, and also the Hybrid Training Facebook and Instagram pages. It will be once or twice a month, around agility shows in the Northern Region.  Appointments can include an assessment of fitness, helping in training fitness skills, and developing and progressing fitness programs.

To start this exciting collaboration we are doing the first ever Sports Assessment Day in New Zealand. This will be an amazing opportunity for handlers and trainers of any sport (obedience, rally-o, IPO, trial dogs, agility and more) to get a thorough and detailed assessment of their competing dogs and further recommendations. We will also be presenting dogs who meet the set criteria with a Certificate of Fitness, showing that the dog is physically capable of training and competing.

This will occur on Sunday the 24th of June. 

The assessments will take approximately an hour, and will examine movement, structure, form in positions, muscle mass and balance, range of motion, general fitness, strength, and balance, and performance of sports specific skills. After your assessment, you will receive a report summarising findings, and some specific recommendations for your dog in term of professionals, or specific areas that your dog may benefit from.  Dog's assessed to be at an adequate condition for high-level training and competition will also be issued a certificate of fitness.  This is excellent timing for those of you intending to compete in Nationals, as it gives you approximately 6 months to address any issues.

Attendee's of the sports assessment day also have the option of booking after their assessment to have an introductory session in the underwater treadmill with Karynne of K9 Aqua for the special price of $50.

To book email: hybriddogtraining@gmail.com 

There are only 6 slot's available on this day, at the introductory price. Payment will be required on the day at reception. 

Slots available: 9am, 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm, 3.30pm, and 5pm. 

Puppy's: What cool stuff do you need to buy?

This post is inspired by a recent trip to a local pet store. I was doing my usual scan to see if there was anything I always use on special (like kongs) and if there were any new chews.

Chace

At the checkout next to me was very obviously a new puppy owner. Like brand new. I had seen the baby's mum carry the pup out, and dad was buying a pile of new things. Beds, collars, some toys, food. So like BRAND NEW PUPPY! After I got over my jealousy I asked the person serving me why they didn't show the new puppy owner they Kongs, as they were on special. She looked at me like I was insane, and I don't think she understood what I was saying.

So here's my quick guide of essential buys, what to go cheap on, what is worth spending money on. For any puppy owner: from pet to performance dogs. Also some cute puppy pics. Because YAY PUPPYS!

Deo

Must have's 

1. Crate: Crate training makes everything easier. Sleeping through the night, toilet training, traveling with young dogs, and even keeping your puppy (and house!) safe from destroying and ingesting things that could make them sick. It gives your puppy a safe place, and you some time out when you cant actively supervise them in the house. It gives the puppy, kids, and older dog's space and time out from one another. 
2. Kong: These are magical. And well worth the cost. It's a safe and engaging way to entertain your puppy and teach them problem-solving skills. You can quickly put some biscuits or peanut butter in, or for a longer and more engaging enrichment activity put food in and freeze it. They will most likely last the life of your dog too - I have all of mine even from when Brody was a puppy, and we use them every week. 
3. Safe car travel: No matter how your pup travels they need to be comfortable, safe, and restrained. Not only do you, and they need to be safe in an accident, and they need to not be loose (and distracting to the driver), but unable to jump from any doors or windows that are open. The best option is a secured crate, and if this is not possible a safe and appropriate harness and seatbelt restraint. 

Inky (Rachel's Working Cocker)

Go cheap (while they are still puppies!)

Collars, leads, harnesses, toys, coats, and beds should always be bought in the cheaper places (I adore Kmart, and the Warehouse has some excellent options). This is because these things will inevitably be chewed, shredded, peed on, and pooped on. Also because likely they will also quickly be grown out of rapidly. Also ensure that bed's either entirely fit into your washing machine, or have a removable and washable cover. Because you will need to wash it! 

Chilly and Evo

Spend some money on

• Head halter. Even if you don't think you need one. Get one, learn how to train your pup to love and accept it, and have it on hand for WHEN you need it. There aren't many puppies I know that don't go through a terrible not listening / lunging / lead pulling stage! 
• Training. Find an awesome trainer to help you sent up clear and consistent communication with your pup, and help you train the basic skills. Learn positive reinforcement, and how to mark and reinforce behavior. 
• Decent food and quality chews and treats. Get advice from someone you trust on nutrition that is best from your pup, your situation, and what you intend to do together. My dog's are all fed raw from day 1 (more info on what I fed here). The Australian 'Balanced Canine Sydney' has lot's of excellent nutritional information, and the website Pet Reviews Australia has great information about pet food. 

Avoid! 

• Made in China treats, or anything that looks incredibly processed, fake, or smells (artificially) strongly.
• Expensive beds, collars, leads, jackets. 
• Stringy rope toys. These are asking for shredding and ingesting. 
• Balls and chuckit's. Puppys dont need this kind of exercise, and balls and chuck it's are a common cause of injury in pet dog's. 

Brody

Have I missed anything from my list? Comment below! 

And have fun with those puppers!