Susan Garrett’s Dog Training Tips From APDT Conference
NOTE: I have a new pet behavior blog located at http://www.SoMuchPETential.com/blog. Thanks!
Last weekend, hun
dreds of dog trainers (actually probably upwards of close to 1000) from across the country converged on Covington, Kentucky. It was the very first time that the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) has held its large annual conference here and I was fortunate to be among the attendees. I attended three of the five days. Not only did I learn a ton from some of the top and most respected professionals in the business, it was also an opportunity to meet highly skilled trainers who believe as I do in the power of positive reinforcement.
I’ll be writing about and referring to the conference in numerous posts.
Training Tips from Susan Garrett
What an amazing opportunity it was that the very first lecture I attended was a three hour presentation by Canada’s Susan Garrett, owner of Say Yes Dog Training, from whom I had taken an online course, the Five Minute Recall. Susan is one of the most successful dog agility competitors of the last decade. She is also a member of one of the fastest flyball teams in the world.
Susan gave us so much information. She also shared these tips for success:
Be the Keeper of the Joy.
“Training is just building joy for what I do want, while controlling access to reinforcement for what I don’t want. Be sure you build yourself into all reinforcement.”
Take regular reinforcement inventory. Ask yourself – where is the value?
Know where you are and where you would like to go. Develop an ‘it is what it is’ attitude.
“When I look at my dogs, all I see is greatness. It’s up to me to show the world.”
Let average or better be your guide.
Plan for failures and only reward responses that take you closer to your goals.
Use arousal to develop skills that are resistant to distraction.
Don’t train in a sterile environment. Deepen your dogs understanding of your cues and his responses by cranking up the excitement level. A brief game of tug or chase will break things up and keep him excited. Make your dog say to you, ‘don’t wanna don’t have to’ and work through it.
And remember…
The more time you put into your puppy in its first 12 months, the more joy you will get out of him for the next 16 years of life.
About APTDT
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) is a professional organization of individual trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education. The APDT is dedicated to building better trainers through education, promoting dog-friendly methods and encouraging their use. Our membership is composed of trainers from across the spectrum of training philosophies who have an interest in furthering their knowledge of positive training.
United Way of Greater Cincinnati Needs Tax Preparer Volunteers
United Way is seeking volunteers to help provide free tax preparation to low-income families at more than 30 local sites through the Regional Earned Income Tax Credit Collaborative (EITC) initiative. Volunteers are needed to help prepare returns with easy-to-use computer software.
No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers will receive free IRS tax training and certification, allowing them to learn a skill that may be beneficial in their personal and professional lives. Their assistance will help families avoid preparation fees and high interest rate refund anticipation loans.
Work schedules are flexible and volunteers can also participate as screeners/greeters or as translators instead of tax preparers. There are over 30 different tax prep sites in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Eastern Indiana with hours available during the day, at night or on weekends during tax season, January 31 to April 15, 2013.
EITC is the nation’s largest anti-poverty program, benefitting families. Last year, more than 17,500 tax returns were filed locally, generating more than $20.2 million in refunds. Orientations are brief, lasting about one hour. Volunteers are welcome to attend orientation without registering, but for those interested in registering visit makeworkplay.com
Volunteer orientations are scheduled for:
Southwest Ohio:
- October 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m., United Way of Greater Cincinnati, 2400 Reading Rd, Cincinnati OH 45202
- November 15, 7-8 p.m., Elder High School Schaeper Center, 4005 Glenway Ave, Cincinnati OH 45202
- November 20, 6-7:30 p.m., Workforce One of Butler County, 4631 Dixie Highway, Fairfield OH 45014
- December 4, 6-7:30 p.m., Workforce One of Butler County, 4631 Dixie Highway, Fairfield OH 45014
Northern Kentucky
- October 30, 6-7:30 p.m., Center for Great Neighborhoods, 1650 Russell Street, Covington KY 41011
- November 8, 6-7:30 p.m., Center for Great Neighborhoods, 1650 Russell Street, Covington KY 41011
To volunteer or learn more about the Regional Earned Income Tax Credit Collaborative, visit www.makeworkpay.com/volunteer
The Story Of Butterflies
(special thanks to Tanya Bricking Leach from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center for sharing this.)
Molly and Zoey Briesacher were to be the first grandchildren on both sides of the family.
The doctor labeled them right there on the ultrasound pictures: “The first grandbaby,” she wrote on one picture. “The second grandbaby,” she wrote on another.
That was the way Kelly and Andrew Briesacher told their parents they were expecting. It brought everyone a lot of joy. But there were worries, as well.
“We were told that having identical twins comes with a set of risks,” Kelly said, “including something called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.” The rare condition can happen when identical twins share a placenta and one gets more blood and nutrients than the other. The doctor said she would keep a close watch as the pregnancy progressed.
By week 19, an ultrasound showed that one twin measured much smaller than the other. And neither the ultrasound technicians nor the doctors 
could find the smaller twin’s bladder.
The family’s doctors in St. Louis referred them to the Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati. The Briesachers threw their clothes in a suitcase and took off for the scariest trip of their lives.
They arrived in Cincinnati for a whirlwind of tests and meetings with doctors and social workers on the Fetal Care team. Sadly, one twin, Molly, was already showing evidence of brain injury from the disease. Her heart was already slowing because of the small fraction she had of the shared placenta.
But there was a chance of saving Zoey, the other twin, if surgeons acted quickly. That is no doubt the most difficult decision any parent would ever have to make. Hope, excitement, sadness and anger overcame them as they prepared. And when it was over, only one twin would survive.
A nurse suggested a visit to Cincinnati’s Krohn Conservatory and when they walked into the butterfly exhibit, Kelly felt a strong connect
ion with the daughter they lost. “I thought, ‘Every time I see a butterfly from here on out, I’m going to think of my precious baby Molly.”
Zoey Elizabeth Briesacher was born on Aug. 30, 2011, weighing in at 3 pounds, 10 ounces. Her parents credit doctors at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center for saving her life. At 1 year old, she is reaching every milestone. When the time comes, Kelly will tell Zoey the story of her sister — and the butterflies.
Paul Miller And Circus Mojo Inspire Potential
Note: Do you have children who want to learn circus arts? At the bottom of this post, learn how they can!
One of my favorite movies of all times has got to be Patch Adams – the beautiful true story of a man impassioned since early adulthood to dedicating his entire life toward spreading joy and laughter and love and kindness.
As a doctor, his greater purpose isn’t about prolonging death with medical treatment, but about promoting quality of life. In the movie, we saw Robin Williams (playing the role of Patch) dress as a clown and transform gloom into smiles, anxiety into joy.
“Celebrate that you have the ability to step out of yourself and the opportunity to give yourself to others and the world,” the real Patch just wrote on his Facebook page.
And so, when Paul Hallinan Miller aka Pauly the Clown first showed me a video story about his work with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, I knew this was a man and a passion in which I believed. In the little bit of time that I’ve been working with him in a PR capacity, I can see how much his work means to Paul and how much he wants to make a difference through his skills.
The Bigger Story
Paul was in his final year of college in 1996 when he dropped out to become a clown. He did ultimately return and got his theatre degree but not before a stint with Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey.
These days Paul and his team at Ludlow-based Circus Mojo are all about bringing out the best in people through circus arts. Their classes, workshops,
performances, and other programs have inspired children of all backgrounds, seniors, sports teams, corporate executives, people with disabilities, doctors, and hospitalized kids.
“In a hospital, giving kids some skills to take home besides their cast or their prescription or their scar is really important. It’s about giving the kids something to celebrate,” Paul said of his Circus Wellness Therapy that takes medical clowning to hospitals including Cincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital.
Other programs of Circus Mojo for diverse populations include:
CircAbility empowers people who have physical, mental and behavior disabilities to discover and strengthen skills and build self-confidence.
Circus Scholastics, largely funded by The Fischer Family Foundation, is a unique after-school tutoring program combining circus skills and homework.
Circus Wellness has performed at a center that serves people who are blind, in a juvenile detention center, for grief counseling, and others.
Work Your Mojo corporate programs foster team building, trust and confidence.
Under the Big Top
Built in 1946, the Ludlow Theatre was vacant for years when Paul acquired it and is continuing to renovate it. Immediate plans for the facility include expanding the seating capacity, installing a restaurant and bar, and developing its very own in-house circus production group. In addition to programming an array of music and entertainment (jazz, folk, rock, dance, comedy, improvisation, etc), the restaurant will offer brick-oven pizzas, the bar will specialize in independent micro brews, and the in-house production group will produce regular circus performances and a touring show.
Mark Your Calendars!
To purchase tickets for all events of Circus Mojo, please visit www.LudlowTheatre.com. You can also purchase tickets at the door. Ludlow Theatre is located at 322 Elm Street; Ludlow, Kentucky, 41016).
October 27
MojoWeen Haunted Circus
Calling all kids and kids at 
heart. Have you ever wanted to be a circus hula hooper, juggler, aerialist, or plate spinner? How about learning how to be a circus clown just in time for Halloween?
Circus Mojo’s MojoWeen Haunted Circus will feature an action packed performance fit for the Big Tent. Immediately following the show will be a fun, interactive workshop so can-do attitudes and gym shoes are recommended! It all begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 27 at the new performance hall of Circus Mojo – the Ludlow Theatre. (322 Elm Street; Ludlow, KY 41016).
Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. (Adults 18 and over do the Thriller dance can also receive a free admission ticket to the Coulrophobia ball later that night – a $20 value.)
October 27 at 8 p.m.
Coulrophobia ‘Fear of the Clowns’ Ball
Just in time for Halloween, Circus Mojo is hosting Greater Cincinnati’s newest, spookiest, scariest circus event for adults with live music, unusual locally brewed beers, and of course – daring acts sure to amaze. Cost for the event is $20 per person.
Featured at the Coulrophobia Ball will be music from hailed Celtic folk metal band Winterhymn while performers will inspire with aerial acts, balls, wheels, and comedy. Those who dare come in costume are to be forewarned – the scariest clown guest will go home with a cash prize.
Proceeds from both of these events will support research on the impact of circus arts for people with disabilities and underserved youth.
There are other big events in November. Please check the Ludlow Theatre web site to learn more.
Win Tickets To MojoWeen!
I’ve got two groups of 4 kids tickets plus and adult kid-at-heart ticket to give-a-way. I’ll be drawing a name on Wednesday, October 24, at 4:30 p.m. To enter:
1. Simply tell me why your child or children love the circus as a comment below or message me (note that your comment may be used on Facebook)
2. Hang out with me on my Good Things Going Around Facebook page
2. Hang out with Circus Mojo on their Facebook page
3. Repin this contest image on Pinterest. Click on the photo for the link.
Rescued From Near Death, Pitbull Lacy Now Spreads Love
Meet pitbull Lacy, a beautiful girl who wants to teach us about forgiveness, love and kindness. Hers is a story that began tragically but today she is thriving and looking for her forever home. Phodographer Carolyn Evans selected Lacy for an Extreme Doggie Makeover. It’s a beautiful story. Please visit my pet blog to learn more – including how you meet Lacy. Blog Article.
