When overwhelmed dogs are hardwired for fight or flight.  It is not unusual for fireworks to send a number of dogs running.  Once the panic is over the dogs are generally recovered using a variety of techniques.

If your dog has identification on him and is pretty friendly with people than chances are they will  be home pretty quickly once the noise stops and the dog settles.  The dogs that left their tags at home and are not microchipped are a little more challenging.  As the owner you want to get the message out that your dog is missing, what he looks like, &  how to contact you.  You can use a campaign of posters on major intersections, call all of the veterinary hospitals, actually visit shelters to look at animals that may look like yours.  Contact breed rescue groups.  Fliers can be handed out or placed in public areas see the “managing the lost pet search” article for more details on making posters & fliers.  If you get no sightings and have no idea where your dog may be consider a commercial service like the phone tree companies or a tracking dog team.

Good luck!

We are planning the snifferdog program for 2009.  We have several training classes and introductory seminars scheduled.  We are working on several locations to offer snifferdog events this year.  the classes introduce the teams to scent detection for fun.  In the classes and seminars we help you teach your dog to find the article and to tell you when he does.  The events are scheduled at different locations it is run like a treasure hunt Using a map and/or clues you find the area for your dog to search.  Once the dog has found the article you can move on to the next location.  It is a fun day outside with your dog.

Upcoming class and seminar schedule.  Register early classes are intentionally small.

• 7/11/09 Lucky stars kennel Hampstead MD  10:30-12:30 Working spots open $25
• 9/18/09 Lucky Stars Kennel, Hampstead, MD  10:30-12:30 Working spots open $25

We are really looking forward to this years snifferdog program.

The class is a very skills training session 3 weeks Thursday evenings 7-8pm

The cost is $50.00 the start date is May, 28

Where we introduce the students and dogs to the skills needed to locate and identify the target odor. (Snifferdog Level 1)

Then we are working on various locations where the class will meet one weekend morning a month to play in the field with a snifferdog hunt!

The prerequisites are snifferdog level 1 or attendance in the introductory class.

The cost is $10 / session attended.

If you interested in learning more about the snifferdog sport please contact us at lauratotis@gmail.com for more information or to register for class.

We have moved and are now based out of Clarksberg Maryland.  It is interesting starting over establishing ourselves in that area.  Not to worry we are still teaching in the Hampstead area and will continue in indefinitely  , however the program is slightly modified to accommodate the new commute.

Classes are Thursday evenings they run from 5:00 pm with the AKC STAR Puppy Program

6:00 pm Basic obedience class

7:00 pm Snifferdog class

8:00 pm AKC Canine Good Citizen class

Private training will be available in the area Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday at the kennel and surrounding areas.

If you do not want or are unable to put the time or physical energy into teaching the skills to your dog then you may want to consider a board and train program.  Traditionally board and train happens when you drop your dog off to a facility and are returned a trained dog.

The program at LJT Training is very very simplified drop your dog off at the kennel in the morning or while your are boarding anyway.  The trainer will spend time throughout the day teaching the basic exercises.  The staff will spend the interactive time with the dog practicing the exercises.  Exercises we generally teach include sit sit for greeting, wait at the door, and walk on a loose leash.  We can also tailor a program to your special needs for example our entire basic class good manners and fundamential obedience skills can be taught to the board and train dogs.

The board and train starts with a private one on one session (It must be scheduled before you drop the dog off to the kennel.)  We will discuss your needs and goals.  From that discussion we develop an appropriate plan to get your pup headed in the direction you want him going.   This is important if it appears the program is a little loose and open ended it is. It is intentional, so that it may be developed into a flexible program to meet your needs.

The length of the program is contingent on your goals.  The cost of the program is $25.00/day in addition to whatever the boarding fees are.

If you prefer to keep your dog at a different kennel or location or even have the training done out of your home that is also possible.

Announcing the snifferdog starter packet. Get snifferdog started in your area.

Kit includes:

4- snifferdog posters

1. Handbook for setting up a snifferdog instinct test
2. 10 snifferdog instinct test forms
3. 10 snifferdog instinct test certificates
4. Guidelines for teaching snifferdog classes

The cost of the kit is $25.00.

DATE: Sunday March 9TIME: 10:00 am until 2:00 pm

LOCATION: Lucky Stars Country Kennel

2818 Hampstead, Mexico Road

Hampstead, MD 21074

A FREE seminar introducing scent work and the snifferdog sport!

What it is

How it works

How to get started

If your dog is people and critter friendly and will sit quietly for the lecture portion; bring him along for the optional snifferdog instinct test following the lecture. All dogs on the premises must have proof of current vaccine (or titers) for rabies, distemper and bordetella. You must pre register to hold a place in the seminar.

Your Name ______________________________________

Dogs Name _________________________________

Breed ______________________ Age _____________________

Previous training experience with this dog. __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact information Phone number _______________________________________________________________

Email address ________________________________________________________________________________

Your preferred method of contact _______________________________

Thank you we look forward to meeting you and your pup!!!

Up coming seminars for 2007

Lost pet detection

Introductory Lost Pet Detection Dog Seminar. March 2007 Maryland

If you think you might be interested in training or working a dog for lost pet detection this is the workshop for you. Topics include selecting and starting a pup/dog. Developing and implementing a practical training program. Learning theory, scent transport theory, search strategy, subject characteristics, about the business of lost pet detection. The seminar is a combination of lecture and hands on if you don’t have a dog yet a dog can be provided for you to practice with. 3 days $100.00

Lost Pet Detection Dog Workshop. July 2007 Maryland

Designed for K9 teams that have the foundation skills. This is primarily a hands on / “nose time” workshop. The emphasis is on search strategy by working scent exercises recreated from actual search scenarios. Effectively using flankers and multiple search dog teams. Utilizing additional equipment in the lost pet search. 3 days $100.00

Interested in hosting a workshop/seminar in your area?

FMI or a registration packet, vtotis@carr.org

All you need is the cat the clicker the treats

Originally uploaded by Laura & the pack.

River is practicing to be the demo cat for our new clicks for cats class that we just started. Clicker training works well for cats since the number one question River has is what’s in it for him? The short answer is treats - lots of treats and attention, River’s two favorite things so he thought the idea was wonderful. Here he is getting a little bite of cooked ground beef for his treat. Try to use a treat that is easy to swallow and tiny so that you pop it into his mouth, and it is gone, and he is looking for more. Freeze dried liver also works really well since it is kind of like cotton candy it goes into his mouth and disappears. First we “load the clicker” that is we click the clicker then instantly give the cat a treat and repeat that until when River hears the click he is looking for his treat to come. (If your cat is a little sensitive cup the clicker in your hand and click it behind your back away from the cat at first, gradually you can move it closer but don’t start with it in his face or you might scare him away.) The simple rule is when the cat does something you like you click everytime you click you owe your cat a treat. On to the training plan we are going to start by teaching River to go into a box and out of it when I ask him to. At first I am going to teach him to touch his nose to a target stick. Then I am going to teach him to go inside the crate His cue to go into the crate is “load up”. Next I am going to lure him out by presenting the stick he is so excited about touching. He knows the word touch means touch his nose to the end of the stick so I present the stick just outside the door of the box ask him to “touch” the stick and as he comes out of the crate I click and treat. Once he is coming in and out of the crate I pair his action with the cue words “Load up” as he starts to go into the crate, and “come out” as he starts to come out of the crate. It is a good place to start it is easy and not difficult for me to figure out the steps to teach it, or for him to successfully get lots of treats. We did it through the course of a couple of days with just a few two or three minute training sessions each day. The goal is to provide River the opportunity to use his little cat mind and get some one on one interaction with me as well as encourage some useful and fun behaviors.

HPIM2644

Originally uploaded by Laura & the pack.

We are still looking for a home for Fifi. She is such a great dog, here she is playing with Ursa. Aron is getting in shape to take her 160-Acre search and rescue dog test so Fifi has been doing some serious hiking with us. Now that little dog has plenty of endurance! If anyone is looking for a hiking or running partner. My friend AJ Gordon, another dog trainer in the Columbia area has been baby-sitting Fifi while I am out of town. He and his rottweiler Oz are making huge progress in her manners skills.