Canis agilis

05/23/2024

TREATING REACTIVITY & DISTRESS WITH SCENT GAMES
I've been teaching K9 tracking lessons for almost 15 years. I've observed just how focused dogs can become when following a track or airborne scent. For some dogs, tracking behavior is intrinsically rewarding. For other dogs, it really is about finding that next treat further down the track.

Since about 2020 most of my client base has been pet owners needing help with their dog's reactivity or environmental sensitivities while in public spaces. I've relied on desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques typically used by other dog trainers.

Then sometime last year year it occurred to me that starting some of these reactive pet dogs in a program of sport tracking might help resolve their distress while out in the world. If they could become so intent following a track from treat to treat to treat....then maybe they wouldn't have to be so vigilant or reactive toward that other dog in the parking lot or the mob of children on the playground.

I've seen some positive outcomes among my own client dogs and now some veterinary research lends support to the approach I've been testing for a year. Send me a message if you want to learn more about including sport tracking or other scent games in treating your dog's reactivity while in public spaces.

Can scent work and sniffing help your nervous and reactive canine patients cope better with visits to the veterinary clinic?

05/10/2024

Now that Joan is retired from her job as a federal scientist, she is more available to work with Canis agilis clients. Joan started training dogs when she was a child and has put AKC obedience and rally titles on multiple dogs. She is also one of the strongest agility competitors in Oregon. Joan and her Belgian shepherd Dagger just returned from Italy where they were members of the USA agility team at the 2024 FMBB Championships. So if you are a beginning rally competitor or are an advanced agility handler looking for some coaching, Joan is ready to meet you at our training barn near Corvallis.

04/10/2024

A great big congratulations to Joanna and her Hanoverian scenthound Quinn for passing the Tracking Dog (TD) test on their first try! Last year this team also passed the Tracking Dog/Urban (TDU) on the first attempt.

03/22/2024

Canis agilis Social Studies sessions give our clients an opportunity to practice dog training while keeping their dog comfortable around other dogs and people. We meet once a week in public settings around Corvallis. Two or three private lessons are required before clients can participate in Social Studies. Send us a message or visit our website for more information.

Private lessons offered in obedience, basic K9 manners and dog sports

03/22/2024

Spring is the best time of year to try the sport of tracking with your dog. We offer private and semi-private lessons near Corvallis, Salem and Wilsonville, Oregon. Send us a message for details.

02/08/2024

Only data geeks will get to the end of this article by Carol Beuchat. Which is unfortunate because all breeders (or anyone wanting to buy a healthy dog) need to understand the perils of inbreeding. Research has demonstrated strong correlations between level of inbreeding and an increased risk of genetic diseases, decreased longevity and increased puppy mortality. The last time I checked, the average coefficient of inbreeding (COI) for Tervs and Groens were greater than 25%, which is the degree of relatedness between brothers and sisters.

By Carol Beuchat PhD

09/26/2023

Now that the rain has started, what better time to start outdoor dog training! Contact us for more information about private and semi-private tracking lessons.

09/19/2023

Canis agilis Social Study sessions are a great way to practice polite K9 manners and obedience exercises in public spaces. Sessions are limited to no more than 6 dogs. Two or 3 private lessons are required before participating in Social Studies to ensure new dogs are well matched to the group sessions. Social Studies are typically held once a week in different public spaces around the Corvallis/Albany area. Message us for more information!

05/03/2023

Today I said so long to a favorite. This is Sitka. She and her two-legged partner McKenzie started lessons with me almost a year ago. Initially, we mostly focused on Sitka's manners in public and basic obedience. With a bit of coaching, McKenzie quickly developed excellent training skills and we began exploring various dog sports with Sitka. This dog has physical traits and a clear-headedness that indicated she could become a star athlete.

Then a few months ago Sitka suffered a very serious Achilles tendon injury during an outdoor trip. The surgeon said the prognosis for full recovery was not good. Nevertheless, Sitka had surgery at OSU, was fitted for a custom brace, endured months of confinement, many follow-up trips to the vet, then totally rocked the PT sessions. I pitched in with some puzzles and scent games that could keep Sitka mentally sharp while confined. In the meantime, McKenzie was offered a great job in Alaska and moved up there a couple of months ago. So McKenzie's parents followed through with all of extra care Sitka needed.

Sitka's recovery has been remarkable. She will soon be fitted for a much lighter brace and a life in outdoor activities or sports is not out of the question now. McKenzie will be back in a couple of days to accompany Sitka to their new home in Fairbanks. I will miss them. Helping people and dogs that have such a close relationship make this work very rewarding.

04/22/2023

Michael Ellis is one of the most respected trainers in the US. In this video he explains some of the most important principles for shaping new behaviors using positive reinforcement. If you are a beginner dog trainer, spending an hour watching this video will be well worth the time.

Michael Ellis’ philosophy on dog training is something that all dog trainers, and owners for that matter, should listen to. This video was filmed at a semina...

04/12/2023

Go to www.canisagilis.com to register or for more information.

02/09/2023

Oregon voters: Activists in the state are collecting signatures on a petition (Initiative Petition 3; IP3) in support of a ballot measure that would criminalize the killing and breeding of animals should the measure be passed into law.

From AKC---
"In the words of supporters, IP3, known as the “Abuse, Neglect, and Assault Exemption Modification and Improvement Act”, is “the first ballot initiative in history that would criminalize the killing and breeding of animals. We want to protect an animal's universal right to life, and we believe that the ballot initiative process is an effective, nonviolent, and democratic strategy for social change.”
Among many provisions, IP 3 does the following:
• Criminalizes standard husbandry practices and numerous agriculture and other humane animal activities and practices (including hunting), as well as “reasonable handling and training techniques”, all of which are protected under current law
• Criminalizes artificial insemination and equates it to sexual assault of an animal.
• Provides a vague exemption for veterinary practices, but it is unclear how this would impact ear cropping and tail docking.
• Removes the word “intentional”, thereby criminalizing even unintentional harm or neglect of any animal including wildlife. "

As a retired wildlife biologist, I can envision that such a law would have serious impacts on scientific wildlife research and conservation practices conducted in Oregon. Please do not sign the petition!

02/05/2023

Canis agilis Social Studies is a class I lead once a week to coach my advanced clients as they handle their dogs in public spaces around Corvallis. We work on loose leash walking, polite greetings and counter-conditioning techniques to prevent the dogs from spinning out of control. Social Studies are 90 minute drop-in sessions, stay for the whole session or stop by for a few minutes. Sessions are $25. A minimum of 3 private lessons are required with me before participating in Social Studies. Message me for more details.

12/27/2022

I'll be on winter break through January 16, but feel free to message or email me if you have questions. My online schedule for the second half of January has been updated. https://www.canisagilis.com/calendar

11/01/2022

It's tracking season! Fall is the best time for beginners to give tracking a try. I teach a style that is best suited to prepare for AKC tracking tests. Private lessons offered weekly near Corvallis and monthly in Salem and south of Portland. Message me for more details or to sign up for a private lesson.

09/03/2022

Canis agilis tracking students---I've started adding dates of upcoming AKC tracking tests (and their entry closing dates) to the online calendar (https://www.canisagilis.com/calendar). You can find premiums and entry forms at the club website and AKC website. Message me if you need help with your entry.