Leader of the Pack Dog Training School

04/22/2024

I have some fantastic news people!

I will be back to teaching classes. It has been a bit rough - ok, more than a bit - but my health is looking up and barring any more surprises ( knocking on wood here) I expect to be teaching classes again in the fall. I may even be able to take on a private job here and there.

Being sick and then starting to recover has really shown me how much I love training dogs. If you have ever worked with me, you know I do it for the dogs. ☺️

Keep an eye on this page and I will post periodic updates.

Thanks to all of you who sent me healing vibes. It seems like it is working. 🥹

02/14/2024

This is not a post that I wanted to make. Ever.

things change and no matter how good - or bad - things may seem at any given time, they WILL change.

All that to say, for the foreseeable future, I will not be teaching any classes nor doing private lessons.

I have struggled with this decision for a while now, but I have to do what I have to do.

I am so glad that I have gotten to work with you and your dogs. Since I started, I have worked with around 2000 dogs - not bad considering I had a full time job too. (Only got bit once! Yay me)

The past few years have been tough on Leader of the Pack. A global pandemic, building closures, so many people sick, losing our location, family deaths, illness….it all added up.

I would like to give a special shout out to the Miramichi Recreation Department for being there with me throughout this crazy journey. Anna Dean, Jason MacDonald and Jason Walsh have been tremendous supporters and I will always be grateful to the City. They are what I call ETDBW. (Google it - it is a thing)

Like I said, things change and I will hopefully be training again, but it is not in the cards right now.

Take care, wash your hands, don’t lick people and always remember, SIT HAPPENS.

Bubbles Up!

Cara aka Doglady

10/26/2023

09/12/2023

TLDR: looking for a venue.

Hello people!

Yes I am alive and yes I hope to have a class very very soon.

It has been a mish mash of ‘stuff’ that has prevented me from getting back to so many of you. Hopefully, things are on the upswing now.

Trying to find a spot is my most challenging issue right now.

As you may know, the Lindon Rec Centre is slated for demolition but the question is when? Please do not get into a debate about what the City should do, I am certain that decisions are
not made all w***y nilly. They have been super to work with this past 20 years. Big shout out to Anna Dean and Jason MacDonald and the rest of the City crew.

That said, I am hoping to get one more class through there before it happens, but if not - we will find a new place.

So stay tuned and thanks for all of your patience.

…sit happens!
The Doglady

05/24/2023

Hello fellow dog lovers!

I have been getting a lot of enquiries lately so that means a post is due!

Next classes will be in September:

- one for puppies under six months of age (or toy/small breeds up to one year).
- one for Basic Obedience.

Sign ups will be open soon. Watch this page.

I am not able to do any private sessions this summer. If that changes, I will post something here.

I no longer work with aggressive dogs, and I am not sure who does.

If you are not sure if your dog is being aggressive or just vocal, record the behaviour and I will look at it for you and may be able to offer a way forward.

I really missed the spring class and I look forward to the fall. But I plan to take in as much summer as possible. It is so short!

St.Patrick VIII and Henry the Seventh just to share their extreme cuteness.

04/13/2023

For the first time in 21 years, I am not able to offer a spring session.

I know many of you have been waiting and hoping that we would start a class soon - myself included. Unfortunately, that is not the way it is working out.

I fully expect to be back at it in the fall, but for now this is the way it is.

Keep on working with your pooches, lots of exercise (a tired dog is a happy dog) and please stay safe and remember - sit happens!

Cara

Picture of my boys and their ‘cousin’ Tizla (Italian Spinoni)

01/24/2023

Remember tonight registration is at 7 PM for both groups at the Linden rec center.

Do not bring your dog tonight .


01/17/2023

CHANGE OF PLANS!!!

Dog training classes slated to start on January 17 will only start on TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 at 7 pm.

Stay tuned for updates.

Cara a.k.a. The Doglady

01/09/2023

Hello 2023! Let’s get ready to train!

We will be starting TWO dog training classes on Tuesday January 17 at 7 pm.

Puppy Preschool
The focus is on proper socialization and safe play with other dogs and other people.

This class is designed for dogs 6 months and younger.

We cover leash walking, sit, down and come.

Four Tuesdays from 7:15 - 8 pm at the Linden Rec Centre. Cost is $150

Basic Training
Teach your dog to FOCUS on you! Sit, down, walk on leash and come when called. We teach all of this with heavy distractions.

Six weeks on Tuesday nights from 6 - 7 pm.
Cost is $200.

Nobody ever regretted training their dog!

Let me know if you want in. Space is limited and you must be preregistered to secure your spot in the class.

…sit happens!
Cara a.k.a. The Doglady

PS - these classes are not designed for agressive or reactive dogs.

10/26/2022

This! 👇🏽

10/04/2022

Wow. What a great initiative! Way to go!!!

The healing power of a dog cannot be underestimated. I have seen Henry the Seventh bring a lot of joy and comfort to a lot of people.

Great work Rotary Club of Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada and Miramichi Fire Dept.

The Rotary Club of Miramichi was pleased to provide $3500 to Canine Therapy For First Responders Atlantic, to enable CharlieB K9 to attend training with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in Columbus Ohio. CharlieB will become certified to work as a courthouse facility dog to comfort children and victims of crime who take the witness stand. Our club feels this is an important project to assist mental health in Miramichi, and hope others will lend their support as well. Pictured (LtoR) are Rotary President Kevin Forgrave, Miramichi Fire Chief Tony Lloyd, Rotarian Barbara Stothart, fire Lieut. Pat Brogan, and Rotarians Tara Racette, Catherine Flett, and Mike Walsh, with CharlieB K9 in front.

09/27/2022

Good news folks - a few last minute cancellations means that YOU can be a last minute joiner. 😊

Here is the scoop:

You MUST be pre-registered. There are limited spots available.

Puppy class (dogs under 6 months): $150 Tuesdays at 7 :15 at Lindon Rec Centre; 4 classes.

Basic obedience: $200: Tuesdays at 6 pm; Lindon Rec Centre; 6 classes.

Final registration and info session is TONIGHT at 7 pm at the Lindon Rec.

If you can make it on short notice, let me know ASAP.

This is not a place for reactive or aggressive dogs.

If you want in and can make it tonight, please TEXT me your name, email addy, dog breed and age.

Text:

506-624-7384

02/25/2022

The science behind your dogs eye contact.

Does your beloved canine companion ever make sustained eye contact with you? Discover the true meaning behind his sweet gaze.

02/22/2022

Both classes (Puppy pre-school and Basic Obedience) are cancelled tonight (Feb. 22).

These classes will be added to the end.

Please stay safe and I will see you all next week. Same time, same station.

…sit happens! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

02/22/2022

Cancelled!
Classes will be cancelled tonight. No point in starting off on the wrong foot!

02/21/2022

Good news! A few spots opened up in both classes. Puppy Pre-school
and
Basic Training
Reach out if you want in!!

02/21/2022

Attention to those registered in my class starting tomorrow night.

The email gods are against me right now and I cannot seem to send an attachment to save my life! So I am posting the list of what you need here. Will try later to send the full book.

02/11/2022

Guess what????? We can go to school again!!!

Anybody who was expecting to start in January gets dibs on the spots.

Registration & info session will be Tuesday Feb 15 at Linden Rec Centre.

Basic Training for dogs 6+ months: 6 weeks, 6 pm - 7 pm - $200

Puppy Pre-school up to 6 months old: 4 weeks, 7:15 pm -8 pm - $150

As per the provincial guidelines, we will need to see proof of vaccination for COVID 19.

New this year: we need to see proof of kennel cough vaccination for your dog.

No vaccines = no classes. Non-negotiable.

01/10/2022

We thought long and hard about this and at the end of the day, our (collective) health is what matters most.

So we have made the decision to NOT start the class in January as planned.

We will reassess in February.

Please, stay safe! Wash your hands and don’t lick anybody. Oh, and get a vaccine!

01/04/2022

Happy New Year People!

I hope everybody had a happy and HEALTHY holiday season - no matter what you were celebrating.

We took a bit of time to relax and get ready for 2022!

The plan was…oh I won’t bother with what the plan WAS, I will tell you what it is. 😀

I will take this week to consult and monitor the COVID situation prior to determining when we will start our next class. We WILL have a class, I just want to make sure that we can start and finish in person.

What I do know is this:

1. There will be two classes.
- One of them will be for basic obedience and it will take place at 6 PM for one hour.
- The other class will be for puppies only and it will start at 7:15 PM and run for 45 minutes.

2. You need to be double vaxxed.

3. Your dog must have kennel cough Vaccine. (It is not in the regular vaccines - this is one you need to request. )

4. You need to show us proof of vaccinations (yours and your dogs).

5. I follow the government regulations to the letter. If there is a change partway through the course, I adjust accordingly.

6. The cost for basic obedience is $200 for six training sessions.

7. The cost for Puppy Pre-School is $150 for 4 sessions.

What I do not know yet:

When we can get started!

All updates will be posted here.

Looking forward to another year of training with you all!

…sit happens!
Cara aka The Doglady

11/30/2021

Hi everybody! It is that time of the year that I take a complete break from training.

I am fairly certain that we have all been having a crazy couple of years and frankly, I am exhausted!

Playing with your dogs and watching them improve really energizes me - but December is just far too busy.

Here is what I can tell you about what is coming up in 2022.

We will start again mid January. Classes will be Tuesdays at the Lindon Rec Centre. Cost will be determined. I haven’t raised my prices in years and at this point, All of the price increases are making it difficult to keep my prices down.

I will do a puppy class and a basic class. Puppy’s must be under six months old.

Stay tuned in early January for info!

11/15/2021

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVxzzqFo6Ec/?utm_medium=share_sheet

Dogs | Golden Retrievers 🐾 shared a video on Instagram: “My mood at the end of the week 😴💞 ➖ Credits 🎥 Follow 🐾🐶 Follow…” • See 74 photos and videos on their profile.

10/25/2021

Who says all dog breeds are the same? Get one that matches your lifestyle.

There is a reason I don’t have a border collie!

Dogs: husky vs border collie agility

10/12/2021

Update for training October 12. 1:30 PM

Since I put that post up this morning my phone has blown up and I’m having trouble getting through all of the messages so I will try to answer the most common questions here in this post.

There are two separate classes.

A puppy class for dogs that are under six months of age. That class is at 7:15 PM.

The other class is basic obedience and it is at 6 PM.

This evening is registration/information night only. Do not bring your dog.

A couple of things that you need to remember prior to showing up.

1. You must have proof of double vaccination and be willing to show it to us. No proof. no entrance.

2. You will need to wear a mask when you cannot be socially distance.

3. These classes are not for aggressive dogs.

4. There are very limited spots in both classes remaining.

5. Basic training is $175 and the puppy class is $150. You can e-transfer Payment to [email protected]

6. The quickest way to reach me is by text at 506-624-7384.

10/12/2021

A few spots still available! Grab them quickly.

10/09/2021

October 12 is info night! Finally we are able to get these COVID dogs under control. Yes, even I got a COVID dog, but not an air fryer. 🙂

I am working on my class lists and some of you may have already received an email.

If you didn’t get one, don’t panic, I will be going in order of requests - just make sure I have your email addy.

General info goes here, but specifics are sent via email.

09/16/2021

Hey folks! Classes WILL be starting in the next couple of weeks. There will be a puppy class and a basic training class.

I expect to start on Sept 28 so please stay tuned for more info.

It is looking like double vaccinations will be mandatory with proof required.

More to come.

09/14/2021

“Veterinarians don't recommend visits to the dog park until a puppy is at least six months old, but most - including me - recommend professionally run positive training classes as soon as possible (around 10 weeks of age) to help young dogs acquire critically important social skills.”

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.huffpost.com/entry/early-immunization-vs-ear_b_9518780/amp

Many puppy owners are understandably confused by conflicting opinions on whether it's best to keep pups isolated from other animals until they are fully immunized, or whether insuring they are properly socialized during the critical developmental stage of 4 to 16 weeks is more important.