The Brainy Canine

12/10/2023

We are running a Nose Work League to get us through the winter. Teams are challenged with all sorts of crazy! setups. Here's the craziest search we had today (links to the other 3 searches in the comments below.)

Parameters for this search: unknown number of hides, unknown time. Yep, you read that right.

By the time the teams get to trial again next spring, they'll be bomb-proof!

Parameters: Unknown Number of Hides AND Unknown Amount of Time

12/10/2023

SAVE THE DATES! March 30 & 31. The *amazing* Holly Bushard will be in Ithaca (NY) for a weekend of intensive workshops.

Can't wait!

09/30/2023

https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/09/when-needs-compete-love-trumps-thirst?fbclid=IwAR2ogCHeC2S2UY3fSOMpqfK3weRZLW-wCln6x6Z1g8wtJt5hXIbR8EpkI2M

Researchers tracked the brain’s dopamine reward system and found – for the first time ­– this system flexibly retunes toward the most important goal when faced with multiple competing needs.

09/27/2023

The *wonderful* Holly Bushard will be in Ithaca Oct 6-8 for three days of workshops. The limited number of working spots have already been filled (that's how popular and GOOD Holly is). Auditing is available (if you realllly want a WS, you can indicate that on the form).
Friday: SUMMIT!! NACSW's most difficult and most prestigious level (it makes Detective & Elite look like a cake walk)
Saturday: Handling -- learn how to get out of your dog's way! It's rarely the dog! It's almost always the handler! Let your dog lead the search.
Sunday: Clearing Your Search Area & Confidently Calling FINISH! Trialing at Masters, Detective, NW3, Elite, Summit? This is for you. Trialing at lower levels? This is still for you (you won't stay at NW2/Advanced/Excellent forever!)
Sign up here:

Payment information below. Information about location/times will be sent closer to the workshop date! For additional information, please contact us at [email protected] (NOTE!! Please follow the directions for payment in the section marked 'Payment information' at the bottom of the form.)

06/03/2023

Ok my friends - there is still time to sponsor Team Brainy Canine on our Whisker Walk tomorrow! Even $5 will help us help Akitas in need, rescued and fostered by Big East Akita Rescue (BEAR).

Meet Kiyo and Toka. We are hiking fools! The pups have both earned the Dog Scouts of Am… Diane Lynch needs your support for Whisker Walk Team Brainy Canine

04/28/2023

I've done my best to keep Kiyo's page updated with fun and happy activities and memories. The behind the scenes story is that Kiyo is showing many, many signs of age, and is plagued with arthritis.

The rehab team at Cornell has done a wonderful job keeping her active with underwater treadmill sessions, acupuncture and chiropractic.

It's reached a point where I've decided to put Kiyo on oral steroids. The rehab vets suggest injections in targeted joints -- the two wonderful and pragmatic vets that are also Kiyo's Aunties advise the use of pred.

We'll do a wash out of the carprofen Kiyo is on next week.

I am opting for oral meds because as Auntie Sue/Dr. Sue said, 'that'll make everything that hurts feel better.'

This has been a really hard decision to make, because to me, it signals the beginning of the end. (Think 'death by a thousand cuts.') But, my promise to all of my dogs is quality of life over quantity of life.

Please all, send my lovely girl positive thoughts - she deserves the best.

Photo of The Princess Perfecta when she first moved in. Kiyo as Her Tiny Imperial Majesty.

02/25/2023

Kiyo had an unexpectedly and rather unwanted exciting day today. She was at the vet school for a spa day. When she was done with her underwater treadmill session, she emerged and immediately expelled an inordinate amount of diarrhea which was tinged with bright red blood.

If your dog is going to have this happen, there is no place better for it to occur than at a world class vet school. Rehab vet called me and I was (fortunately!) able to pick up the call and talk to her, giving her the go-ahead to get Little Missy thoroughly checked out.

Within 10 minutes of that call, she was being examined by their ER team. They found nothing untoward, and Kiki's blood tests came back with markers WNL.

Kiyo is home, sound asleep. *WAY* too much excitement for all of us. Thankful that my wonderful girl is OK.

09/08/2022

The wonderful! Holly Bushard spoke eloquently on "Nose Work: the Gift We Give Our Dogs" this evening. Hosted by Great Barrington Kennel Club. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/70SrPqsIvhk

September 7, 2022Hosted by Great Barrington Kennel Club

08/15/2022

SEPT 24 & 25 at the Hangar Theater in Ithaca, NY - NACSW NW3 & ELITE trials.

Now that one trial is done, time to start focusing on our next big effort. We need volunteers! We'll feed you and have thank you goodies!

Pls sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSds7wnqCPbtj6JgG81C4Lt_qzW5XKjP0aj3b6Ka0OBvMz3DeA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Trials on Saturday Sept 24 & Sunday Sept 25. Please fill out the information below to volunteer for either or both days of the Hangar Theater nose work events. We will be in touch with final details for that weekend 2 - 3 weeks before the trial. If your availability changes please let us know ASAP.....

01/24/2022

I've had a few requests to share this link recently, so here it is: The Wiggle Cookie game. It's a fun, easy way to teach -- or to reinforce -- having your dog look at you. Have fun! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW-lUtuO2q8

Foundation game - 'orient towards me!'

01/20/2022

SUPER! zoom class by friend & nose work mentor Holly Bushard last night. I'll never look at small spaces in the same way. Excellent winter training options. There's still time to join us for
-- Inaccessible Hides (2/16)
-- Endurance Drills (3/16)
-- High Hides (4/13)
And yes, the recording of last nights excellent class is available, too!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe75DFjCt-x7Cu8745izKQTFHFAuh3Yat63IKUcIoJQ18IlQg/viewform

Payment information below. For additional information, please contact us at [email protected] (NOTE!! Same address for PayPal payment.)

01/10/2022

Holly Bushard -- fabulous nose work instructor, judge & competitor has been leading a series of wonderful Zoom classes on NW which are open to all. Here's the spring 2022 line-up. YES! They are recorded for future viewing/reviewing.
1/19 - Small Space Exercises
2/16 - Inaccessible Hides
3/16 - Endurance Drills
4/13 - High Hides
Sessions usually start at 7:30 EST & run for 1 - 1.5 hours. Sign up here! See you online:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe75DFjCt-x7Cu8745izKQTFHFAuh3Yat63IKUcIoJQ18IlQg/viewform

Payment information below. For additional information, please contact us at [email protected] (NOTE!! Same address for PayPal payment.)

12/03/2021

Not the best of photos - and yet, this. This is why I teach nose work. The profound feeling of gratitude, respect and love we have with our incredible 4-footed friends.

This is Laura thanking Mackenzie after finishing their ELT-Ch with first place overall.

11/27/2021

Holiday special! 4 camo micro-fobs ("bullet tubes") $16 - includes shipping and taxes.
Note: these hold a single cotton swab head. Use caution when placing for the safety of your dogs. PM me with inquiries, please.

11/24/2021

Just in time for winter! Actually, not a bad idea to ask for these for presents (ho, ho, ho!). Have had a few inquiries about our 'pattern' so here it is. https://trainingtoka.com/2017/08/19/an-easy-way-to-make-winged-agility-jumps/amp/

Last night we built agility equipment. For my birthday, of all the fun things I could have chosen to do, my priority was making winged agility jumps for Toka. A couple of people have asked for ins…

11/21/2021

Unable to join us for the discussion on tracking with AKC tracking judge Ruth Vaughan? Here's the link -- what an enlightening, informative and *fun* session! Yes! Please share link with all of your dog loving friends. (Hosted by Great Barrington Kennel Club) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZorCBllZo3Y

11/18/2021Hosted by Great Barrington Kennel Club

11/04/2021

Toka earned his Akita Club of America Versatile Akita Excellent 5 title -- that means he's had to earn over 100 competition titles or certifications and/or engage in public relations events (1 point/title or event). Since he's typically Akita, and doesn't really care about anyone outside his pack, we've focused on performance. We also have 4 points (e.g. 4 titles) towards his VAX6.

Not to be outdone, Kiyo is featured in this article on nose work that I wrote for the Canine Arthritis Research and Education organization:

https://caninearthritis.org/scent-work-enriching-your-dogs-life/?fbclid=IwAR0MHctMFcxQ4KJaRrUh1ZKaRsYjDF_kudYJ9Te_-tdz7Ilr_qgPnrDYl6s

Scent work is a good game for a dog of any age or health status. It is also a wonderful enrichment game for arthritic dogs. Get started today

08/19/2021

The fabulous Holly Bushard is giving a series of zoom classes on various nose work topics this fall. Sign up to audit here (info on dates & topics included). See you online!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjsHRMMl4BAa0uneMB_QeSl_3_Qqyak5pm60WsW5mbfC0Crg/viewform

Payment information below. For additional information, please contact us at [email protected]