O'Brien Canine

O'Brien Canine Personal business page for Jill Marie O'Brien and OBrien Canine Training Services Personal business page for Jill Marie O'Brien and O'Brien Canine

Come join us for networking, demos and some great learning. There will be many great speakers to enjoy
06/30/2024

Come join us for networking, demos and some great learning. There will be many great speakers to enjoy

The APDT Conference is the premier conference for professional dog trainers. Join us in Riverside, CA, September 18-20, 2024.

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎😉 Having fun with Facebook…Maryanne Dell, Angela HT, Silke Wittig
06/29/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎😉 Having fun with Facebook…

Maryanne Dell, Angela HT, Silke Wittig

06/28/2024

Los Angeles Area (SFV): I am adding more people to my drop in list. Your dogs needs to be proficient on all 3 NACSW target odors and should have been training for at least a year or have an NACSW ORT title. These are mixed level classes, ORT level through Elite, and are on Wednesday or Thursday evenings. Spaces occasionally become available when a class regular needs to miss a night. If you would like to be on the drop in list please email [email protected]. Acceptance on the list is with instructor approval.

Come hang out with us. It’s going to be so fun
06/25/2024

Come hang out with us. It’s going to be so fun

https://conta.cc/3KPqaT7Training Fest - HawaiiSave the Dates: October 26&27, 202416 working spots and limited auditor sp...
06/20/2024

https://conta.cc/3KPqaT7
Training Fest - Hawaii
Save the Dates: October 26&27, 2024
16 working spots and limited auditor spots
Do not email, we'll announce when registration opens. Be sure to mark your calendars. Nose Work and tropic breezes... two of our favorite things.
Photo courtesy: Jill Marie O'Brien

This episode was interesting.
06/16/2024

This episode was interesting.

‎Show Hidden Brain, Ep Why Trying Too Hard Can Backfire On You - Jun 3, 2024

As we learn more we need to adjust to the updates in information.
06/03/2024

As we learn more we need to adjust to the updates in information.

NACSW K9 Nose Work® Education Division Upcoming events through January 2025. Stay tuned as more fun learning opportuniti...
06/02/2024

NACSW K9 Nose Work® Education Division Upcoming events through January 2025. Stay tuned as more fun learning opportunities are also in the works.

Great Nose Work Activities Ahead...       K9 Nose Work® Community News June 2024   The ORT.... presented by Barbara Schwerdt, BA, CPDT-KA, CNWI, NACSW/K9 Nose Work Ed. Div. Sr. Faculty Webinar Date: S

05/28/2024

Yesterday was a hard trial day for me and Stella (ok for me, Stella was perfectly fine). There is probably some video of me saying, “mommy fu**ed up” and “It me not you.” I got a call immediately before hitting the start line of the very first search of the day. My mind got squirreled and the search didn’t end well.

As the day progressed I must have been looking to accumulate video footage of every rookie mistake possible. But instead of leaving the day in huff, I vented, and used the rest of the day for fun and exposure for Stella. And I got to see people I care about do well. Priceless.
I realize I need to restart my journey with Stella after a difficult year behind me and a bumpy last few years. One thing I’ve learned is when we hit performance walls we need to find what the glitch is. If you golf maybe it’s like the yips.

Rule #1 phone and watch that rings stays in the car
Rule #2 Be a Goldfish so sayeth Ted Lasso

Have fun. Life is short.
😎🏝️🏖️

https://conta.cc/4bnfZ3AWe're back together one more time...Joint Educational Conference 2025
05/16/2024

https://conta.cc/4bnfZ3A
We're back together one more time...Joint Educational Conference 2025

Back together again....   NACSW & IPCA (formerly CNCA) *Joint Educational Conference* BACK AGAIN 2025   SAVE THE DATES!!!!!   NACSW & IPCA (formerly CNCA) are working together again to bring you amaz

05/08/2024

Training thoughts: We should not be stuck in the "all or nothing mindset". Let's think of the "where and when". Where and when to implement different strategies to contribute to our team's success, whatever that looks like to each person.

In the building phase of K9 Nose Work, we emphasize the independence, confidence building in the problem solving, having the dog make choices for engagement, and self-rewarding opportunities that don't rely on doing because they are told to, but because they enjoy the self-gratification, building hunting/searching strength through all of these things. Resilience, endurance, stamina, etc. etc. are valuable when things get harder.

There comes a time when it is beneficial to step in, work with your dog to isolate areas, isolate problems, focus energy as to not burn out in the search. This is not in conflict with independent searching it is in harmony if we integrate concepts along the way so our dogs are not caught off guard if we as handlers make adjustments or allow our nerves to take over the search. Things happen, sometimes our dogs are getting tired, the day is hotter than they and we are used too and the list goes on. We need to be able to use "tactics" for lack of a better word to support their searching.

None of this means we should be steering our dogs, over-powering them, answering the odor questions for them, it means there comes a point and time when we can be more than a "lump on a line" and be a "friend in the finding".

In the first phase, it is a monologue recited by the dog; then it becomes a dialogue between them and us. How that develops over time and which participant is doing the talking at which time will be dependent from team to team. In the end, I hope people enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Jill's thought process: This seemed to resonate with some participants during TFSE24 last weekend and I figured I'd shar...
05/04/2024

Jill's thought process: This seemed to resonate with some participants during TFSE24 last weekend and I figured I'd share it in the event the visual helps handlers deal with managing situations in which the dog gets caught in an apparent vortex of of converging odor in the middle of a space.
"Converging odor is like being on a roundabout, but with your dog. Your dog gets drawn into the collection of odor and then cannot seem to pick a direction to go. Like those folks that get themselves onto a roundabout but cannot figure out which lane to use and road to take off of it. They just go around around. Our dogs will do this. This is when we need to take the steering wheel, even briefly to get off the roundabout. Then we can turn the controls back to the dog until our assistance is needed again."
When we just allow our dogs in the name of following them all the time and never feeling justified in influencing their choices we often make their "jobs" harder. As searches get more complex having the balance between you and the dog is most critical. This doesn't mean pointing to where the dog should put their nose every second, or dragging them around, but being able to take the steering wheel from time to time to get things moving. And if you chose the least productive road off the roundabout, make a u-turn (most dogs will dog this without your help) and try a different road.
Creating visual comparisons and analogies is helpful for me in how my brain sees things (thank you ADHD) and I figure it might help others.
Graphic borrowed from the FHWA.

04/27/2024

So excited for the kick off of NACSW K9 Nose Work®Training Fest South East 2024. Fun, fun search areas await all our teams. Our instructing staff is primed and ready for a full two days totaling 8 search session. Looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend.

For those interested in applying "nose work" for shelter & rescue dogs be sure to join the K9 Nose Work Shelter Program ...
04/23/2024

For those interested in applying "nose work" for shelter & rescue dogs be sure to join the K9 Nose Work Shelter Program page. It isn't just generic nose work which encompasses all detection methods for dogs doing competition, it is the K9 Nose Work® method that resonates for shelter dogs, as it does for most dogs given the opportunity to tap into their natural abilities. Steve DeTata has been doing a great job spearheading that page. https://www.facebook.com/K9NWShelterProject

Featuring: Jill Marie O'Brien, Co-Founder of NACSW® & K9 Nose Work® Hosted by: NACSW Original Webinar Date: June 3rd, 2020 Webinar Length: 1 hr 30 mins (plus 15 mins Q&A) Format: Online Zoom Webinar (recorded) CEUs: 3 units for current CNWI Webinar Description: This seminar is open to EVERYONE. Th...

04/13/2024
03/16/2024

LAST MINUTE OPENING: Saturday 3/16 1pm - 3pm Pre-Odor skill building clinic in Chatsworth, CA. If you are interested email [email protected]. One spot opened up.
Dog must have experience searching for primary in boxes/containers. We'll be working on expanding out of boxes as well.

For my friends that feed their dogs non dog food.
03/10/2024

For my friends that feed their dogs non dog food.

A new study finds that dogs fed fresh human-grade food don't need to eat or do their business as much.

03/08/2024

Cancelled class tonight. Too unstable weatherwise. Next week sunny and 80

NACSW Training Fest Southeast had a couple spots become available. https://k9nosework.com/workshops/training-fest-southe...
03/06/2024

NACSW Training Fest Southeast had a couple spots become available. https://k9nosework.com/workshops/training-fest-southeast-2024/ We have re-opened the form and once you are signed up one of our team members will reach out to you.

NACSW® Education Division K9 Nose Work® Training Fest Southeast 2024 April 27 & 28, 2024 Camp Fletcher Bessemer, Alabama Cost: $625.00 for the weekend – single day registration not available…

We are excited to announce that we will be introducing Elite Premier Trials starting September 1, 2024. This new titling...
03/01/2024

We are excited to announce that we will be introducing Elite Premier Trials starting September 1, 2024. This new titling option will provide another opportunity for ELT-CH teams to compete at a high level.

Elite Premier trials will follow the format and parameters of Elite trials with a few modifications. Only ELT-CH teams will be eligible to compete at these trials. Teams will need to accumulate 400 points to earn their ELT-P title. Given the high caliber of the teams at this level, the top teams in each trial will earn bonus points towards their title. The 1st place team overall will earn 40 bonus points, 2nd place will earn 30 bonus points, 3rd place will earn 20 bonus points, and 4th-10th will earn 10 bonus points. Additionally, teams will be required to score a minimum of 60 points to accumulate points for that trial. Please refer to the new version of the rule book for full details.

Elite Premier trials will be able to be held at any location that can support an Elite trial. There will not be a limit to the number of Elite Premier trials a team can participate in. Summit Trials will also continue in their current format with the current limit of 3 trials per calendar year.

You can find the new rule book at: https://nacsw.net/trial-information/trial-rule-book
--
Wendy Krehbiel
Special Projects

COVID-19 INFORMATION Information will be updated as needed as this continues to be an evolving situation. It is your responsibility to be aware of the current information if you attend an event. Click here to view current COVID Requirements and Guidelines Rule Book Version 12.1 of the rule book is n...

As we all know good decor is a top priority of dog enthusiasts 😉. And with that in mind I am sharing this timely   link....
03/01/2024

As we all know good decor is a top priority of dog enthusiasts 😉. And with that in mind I am sharing this timely link..

Having pets doesn't mean you have to let your sofa go to the dogs (and cats). Discover the best fabric for a pet-friendly couch, along with tips for choosing the sofa that's right for you and your furry friend.

LAST CHANCE!!!! To sign up for the draw. Limited working and audit spots available. Training Fest South East 2024; Besse...
02/28/2024

LAST CHANCE!!!! To sign up for the draw. Limited working and audit spots available. Training Fest South East 2024; Bessemer, AL April 27 & 28
Sign ups close tomorrow. Participant Draw will be this weekend with announcements next week.
https://k9nosework.com/workshops/training-fest-southeast-2024/

When a dog says not yet… By Jill Marie O’BrienOne of the compacts we make with our canine companions is that we’ll be th...
02/27/2024

When a dog says not yet…
By Jill Marie O’Brien

One of the compacts we make with our canine companions is that we’ll be there to help them when it is time to let them go. When their suffering or age brings more hard days then good. We hear from so many caretakers that their dog said through actions that they could no longer maintain their earthly body. It was time to let them go.

One of the things we don’t talk about or never consider is when, in my case, a very elderly dog says hold on a second, I am not ready to leave yet. I have things to do.

This is what happened for us this past weekend. On Saturday I had an at home hospice vet come to my home to help let Raven go. Raven is 16.5+, has DM (though she is fully mobile, if a little wobbly), is restless at night and pees from time to time inside if she doesn’t get out in time. She had lost a ton of weight, which she is now putting back on. In any case, my worry about having something happen when I am not here was very stressful, and she seemed to be showing signs that getting through the day was getting to be too much.

Back to the at home euthanasia plan. The veterinarian was here, Raven was pretty tired and laying on her bed; we went through all the quality of life checks, how she was doing health wise etc. We concurred that Saturday was the day. However, with the first injection to help her relax and tranquilize her ready to go (syringe loaded) and knowing it can sting a bit I was going to hold her head, the vet suggested using a towel to avoid her reacting with a bite attempt. Immediately Raven was on her feet basically saying, “cool your jets.” Not today.

I would never want her last moments to be full of stress and anxiety. The whole point of at home veterinary care, especially at home euthanasia is to minimize this stress. But at home vets do not have full access to ways to administer meds to relax your dog that vet clinics do. I was not offered medications to give her in advance which would have made a difference prior to the visit which I now know was an option.

I am very glad Raven made her opinion known. She is still eating, annoying, trotting around the yard picking up toys. We may have one day, one week or one month left. Who knows. But this last weekend wasn’t her time.

Everyone has to make the decision for their pets that can’t do it themselves and it is deeply personal. Just know we are all walking similar roads and those roads, on occasion take a detour.

02/11/2024

Welcome the Year of the Dragon 🐉

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Jill Marie has been working with, training, and advocating for dogs since 1987; fourteen years were spent as Director of Behavior and Training Services for spcaLA. During her tenure with spcaLA, she supervised the creation and ongoing development of that agency's first Animal Behavior and Training Department since its inception in 1877. Additionally, while there, she worked on a variety of programs that included, but not limited to: -Kal-Kan Bite Prevention and Feral Dog Safety program; a program designed to educate inner-city youth on bite prevention and feral dog safety. -Teaching Love and Compassion (TLC) program for at-risk youth -The Standards Program which included both a Canine Behavior Assessment used for the evaluation of the shelter dogs, as well as a comprehensive behavior rehab component. -H.E.A.L. (Helping Enhance Animals Lives); Jill Marie designed this program as a volunteer training, staff safety, and canine enrichment program. Over the years, she's gained extensive knowledge and experience through her participation in agility, tracking, Animal Assisted Therapy, pet dog training, Schutzhund/IPO training, canine behavior assessments, canine behavior rehabilitation along with professional detection dog training and handling. ​ As Co-Founder of National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC® (NACSW™) she is involved in both the competitive sport and activity of K9 Nose Work®. Through the NACSW(™) K9 Nose Work® Instructor Education and Certification program she has dedicated the majority of her time to continuing the development and growth of the K9 Nose Work® style of training; both as a tool develop teams for competition in a variety of trialing venues and as an activity to facilitate the behavioral well-being of our canine companions. ​ Jill Marie is currently developing the K9 Nose Work® Shelter’ project. This project aims to enhance the lives of shelter dogs around the world through the use of the simple yet profound K9 Nose Work® methodology; through capacity building and knowledge sharing this undertaking will establish K9 Nose Work® as an inexpensive and powerful enrichment tool that any shelter could implement and sustain. Additionally, the project will focus on the use of K9 Nose Work® to benefit special needs canines in a variety of settings. ​Her training philosophy is one of building strong working relationships and bonds between dogs and their handlers using positive, fun, and motivational techniques. She is a strong advocate of ongoing education and the development of evidence based skills and programs. Not only has she attended many educational conferences and courses, she has organized and facilitated educational events featuring some of the most sought-after lecturers and behavior experts in the world. Jill Marie has been a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) since 1997 and she has been a Certified Professional Dog Training (CPDT-KA) through the CCPDT since 2008. In 2011, she was voted onto the APDT Board of Trustees. She has held the office of Secretary, Vice-Chair 2013, 2015 & 2016, and was selected as Chair of the Board for 2014 term. She will been finishing up her board service at the end of 2017. Additionally, she served as President of the APDT Foundation 2013 & 2014. ​Jill Marie and her dog Beckett (RIP), CGC, L1I, CLASS-MA were a nationally certified Narcotics Detection Team and took 1st place in the novice division at the Oxnard Police K9 Inaugural Trial, 2009. She was a long-time agility enthusiast and competed and trained in agility starting 1990. In addition to her work with Beckett, Jill Marie and her dogs have earned many training titles and have competed at the USDAA's Grand Prix of Dog Agility. Her other K9 partners, both Belgian Malinois, are Grip, ORT-BAC and Raven, ORT-BAC, NW1, CLASS-BA. She shares her life with her son Aedan and husband Jim who she thanks everyday for their support in her endeavors.

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