Sheila Allen's - The GOOD DOG, A K9 Academy

11/09/2023

So happy to live in a town that Remembers and honors those fallen on 9/11 - this at local Fire Department.
Streets lined with flags and people in Patriotic shirts too!

26/08/2023

Celebrate your K9 Family - today, and everyday!

14/07/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10231845283054912&id=1230365785&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ1f

06/05/2023

It is why we train and spend time with our dogs!

08/02/2023

More exciting news from AKC today -

Sheila,
We are pleased to inform you that you are now approved to judge AKC Farm Dog Certified tests. Your AKC judge's number is 66830.

We appreciate your commitment to the AKC and wish you the best of luck in judging all of your future Farm Dog Certified tests!

So now AKC Jr. SHowmanship, AKC Temperment Tests, Farm Dog, CGC all levels and Tricks!

Will work on Fit Dog next!

31/01/2023

I am extremely proud to announce that in addition to Judging AKC Jr. Showmanship, that I have just been approved to be an AKC Temperment Test Evaluator.

My judge number remains 66830!

I am also a CGC Evaluator, so can do Trick evaluations as well and have applied for Farm Dog Testing as well!

05/12/2022

Good Morning!

“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog, it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big”
Erica Jong

25/11/2022

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4034397336784587&id=1691083787782632&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=6aamW6

29/10/2022

I got mail!

Excited to be able to add new offerings here in Western NC!
Will be offering S.T.A.R Puppy, CGC basics, and Conformation Handling Classes after first of the year. Hope to add some Fit Dog stuff as well!

As CGC Evaluator I can certify S.T.A.R Puppy, CGC, CGCA, CGCU, Trick Dog levels, and More!

05/10/2022

100% Totally agree!

Always a great reminder.
Crate training should be a positive experience (not for punishment).

23/09/2022

Be kind to your vet!
These are scary statistics - no wonder it takes time to get into to see your vet!

01/09/2022

Now we have proof!

Owning a Dog or Cat May Help You Hold on to your Memory.

Taken from an April publication of Mass. General Hospital.

They can be beloved members of the family, sources of affection, and sometimes little nuisances, but pets may also be a reason you're preserving your memory longer.
In a study of morenthan 1,300 older adults-aboutnhalf of whom were pet owners-researchers found that over a six-year span, scores on cognition generally decreased at a slower rate among pet owners.
Researchers accounted for other factors known to affect cognition. Thr cognitive benefits of pet ownership were especially strong for Black adults, men, and college-educsted adults. People who owned pets for at least five years also experienced slower cognitive decline compared to non-pet owners or individuals who had been pet owners for a short time. Researchers theorized that dogs and cats provide companionship, which helps reduce the impact of isolation on brain function, and can lead to more physical activity - another way to preserve thinking skills. Previous studies have also suggested that bonds between pets and their owners can help reduce stress and blood pressure. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Acadmey of Neurology.

16/05/2022

Just letting everyone that is not a regular attendee of our Conformation Handling Classes that our last classes will be the end of May!
I am moving in late June to North Carolina and that is just too big of a weekly commute.....lol

I have truly loved getting to know each and every one of you and your wonderful dogs. We have had some great successes in the ring and I could not be happier.
Please keep in touch - like me on FB if we are not already connected so I can keep up with your continued successes.
Working with each of you all has been a highlight of my week as I love teaching so very much!

I hope to start classes in my new community after I get settled and will be keeping this page open and I will post occasional tips and tricks!

If you have not - and feel so inclined I would love and appreciate any reviews you feel like.

Wishing you all much success! Love to you all!

05/05/2022

IMPORTANT NOTICE!Snohomish Handling students will meet tonight in the large arena - please walk around to the building and NOT through the regular building!

27/01/2022

ATTENTION SNOHOMISH STUDENTS - We have been asked to start our classes at 7 instead of 6:30 as there is another class that is scheduled to end at 6:30! So in the interest of parking and people flow all French Creek classes will be delayed 1/2 hour.
Class times are now 7, 7:30 and 8!
If you are currently signed up for class this week or next, please just come 1/2 later.
Many thanks!

02/01/2022

Good things to remember as we start the 2022 show season. Written by aong time breeder exhibitor - remember these and you will do well and be happy.

◾ Don't get mad at your dogs if they jump on you with muddy feet after you let them out in a muddy yard. Laugh with them.

◾ Build majors under good judges, not show sites with good food, a casino nearby or good parking..

◾ Help out a newbie; remember you were once one too.

◾Mentor, mentor, mentor.

◾ Read the breed standard for a breed with a major entry, and watch it all the way through.

◾ Stay and clap for your breed the group. (unless you have a VERY long drive home)

◾ Bring an extra chair to the show and take it to the ring. You never know who might need it or who might sit next to you.

◾Take extra bait to the ring. Remember when someone bailed you out when you forgot?

◾Always remember the person holding the color ribbon you were seeking did not beat you, the judge did. So, if you are irritated with anyone, remember it’s the judge that pointed, don't ruin it for the lucky one with the big smile on their face. Next weekend it will be your turn.

◾Thank the ring steward for your armband. It's a long day on your feet and a thank-less job. (and can be really awful if your judge is having a bad day...)

◾If something at a show is really good, FIND the Show Chair and let them know. Most often they only hear the bad things. Trust me, it will make their day to hear something they have worked on for so long went well for someone.

◾Thank the Parking people. (another thankless job...)

◾Even if you don't win, make it a big deal for your dog when you get out of the ring. They put up with your hobby and try to please you, so make sure it's fun for them.

◾Always have a few bucks in your bait/grooming bag to buy a raffle ticket from a kid that got roped into selling them by his Mom... (even if it's for something you don’t need, what’s a buck or two...)

◾If your dog did not perform well, don't get irritated with the dog. Make sure they feel ok, and if they're fine, most likely they didn't understand what you wanted or were just having a bad day.
◾Make a donation to your Parent Club, and other Specialty Clubs.

◾Donate all the food coupons you win or pickup to a local rescue group. It's easier to store and send a coupon to a new home than a bag of food.

◾Teach your dog a trick, or two or three...

◾Carry an extra p**p bag. And don't be afraid to ask someone who is walking away with out picking up if they NEED it.

◾Send thank-you notes to the person(s) who donated the nice trophy you won.

◾Remember to always congratulate the winner, and be sincere to those that congratulate you. (maybe just as hard, for some)

◾May all the right color ribbons you deserve find their way into your hand.

◾Hug your dogs often. You just never know…

©Meg Callea 2011

15/12/2021

Just a reminder to all students! This is our last week before the 2 week Holiday Break. Classes resume in Woodinville Tuesday January 4 and Snohomish Thursday January 6.
Please use the online request appointment button to schedule your times.

22/11/2021

Due to my back injury and it being Thanksgiving Week. I am canceling my Tuesday class this week in Woodinville! No class in Snohomish Thursday as it is Thanksgiving! See you all next week!

20/11/2021

Just letting everyone know that the online class time request is once again working for both Tuesdays in Woodinville and Thursdays in Snohomish.

20/11/2021

01/11/2021

This is a great article and must read!

Ohhh… taking puppies out in public every day, sometimes we come across off leash dogs and I absolutely love the message below by The Complete Canine.

Let’s set the scene. This may become a bit sensitive for some, and I apologise in advance.

You’re out somewhere. You might be at a restaurant, a bar, a public park on a sunny day enjoying the sunshine with your family. It may be that you’re on your way home from work or trying to catch the bus. You’re just minding your own business.

Suddenly, a person comes straight up to you. They give you anxiety. What is this person going to do? I don’t know! The person is walking with a friend and the friend sees you’re a bit anxious and calls out to you saying “Don’t stress, she/he’s all good!’’ ��But they keep approaching you. And when they finally reach you they randomly hug you. Touch you. Walk circles around you. Start talking to you. Don’t let you leave.

What would you call that? Harassment? Assault in severe cases?
How would this make you feel?

Now, after the initial shock you find your courage and you ask the person to go away. Leave you alone. But the person doesn’t stop and instead touches your arm or your hair. “Oh come on, we’re alright. I’m not doing anything bad I’m friendly! Just let me be around you.’’��You get upset and might push the person. Shout at them. If you’re a bit more of an assertive person you might punch them. Who knows.
�Then the person and the friend get upset. Well? WHY are you here then? What are you doing in this public space if you don’t like being around other people? You have no business to be here, minding your own business in this park with your family without allowing me to sit with you, play with you, touch you, talk to you. Actually, you know what you should do? You should be more social! You should go more often to random groups of people.

_______
Do you see what I did there?
If you thought any of the above situation is not okay (and I sure as heck hope you do), then why do we think it’s okay to let dogs run up to strange dogs and say ‘It’s okay he’s friendly’?

What we do in the dog world is the exact opposite what we should be doing. We label the harassed dog as aggressive and the harassing dog as the victim.

Dogs have emotions. They have feelings. They have their own characters and personalities. There are many, many dogs that are not interested in making new friends or being with dogs they don’t know they can trust.

And sure, some dogs love playing with other dogs. Those are the extraverted dogs. Just like we have people that LOVE hugging or love making new friends even as adults, but to be honest.. how many of those people do you know? I think if you put it into a % its lower than the people that rather just are with their select group of people and be left alone by random strangers in public spaces.

So don’t assume the dog your dog is running towards on the beach, is willing to play with your dog. Being in a public space means you need to have your dog under effective control. And if you can’t call your dog back, it should be on a long line until you can.

23/10/2021

At shows with large entries this might happen....

When the judge moves a part of the group around and tells the other part to back up against the fence, this is the proper way to ensure that your dog does not interfere with those dogs that are moving and that your dog is not injured by an exhibitor running around the ring.

21/10/2021

So very true!! We need to teach our dogs it is ok to be alone!!

•Pet your dog, all the time
•Talk to your dog, all the time
•Allow your dog to follow you, all the time
•Allow your dog to be on your lap or laying on your feet, all the time
•Pet, soothe, comfort your dog when it whines or barks for attention...or is simply anxious
•Allow your dog to demand affection/interactions
•Be emotionally dependent on your dog
•Allow your dog to do whatever it wants, whenever it wants
•Provide no structure or rules
•Refuse to crate train your dog
•Refuse to correct your dog when inappropriate behavior occurs
•Refuse to train your dog to be calm, relaxed, and independent by using a “Place” command, and/or “away” time in the crate
•Allow you and your home to be a free-for-all, where your dog has zero leadership and guidance
•Let your dog out of the crate when it whines or barks
•Avoid training or anything that makes your dog uncomfortable or unhappy
•And many, many more...

Basically, baby, soothe, allow, enable, lean on, and create a toxic dependency...so when you leave, your dog is a mess, because you haven’t prepared them to be strong, resilient, robust, independent, and alone.

04/10/2021

Attention all Snohomish French Creek students!
Due to parking issues we have been asked to change our class schedule just a bit. We will be staggering class start times by 15 minutes to allow students to leave and come. So new start times are as follows:
6:30 (same), 7:15 and 8 PM

Thanks for your understanding - let me know of any issues with these changes that impact you!

21/09/2021

Vacation is over - time to get back at it! Classes resume this week! Tomorrow in Woodinville and Thursday in Snohomish! Looking forward to seeing you all!

24/08/2021

For all my newer folks to the world of showing your dog in Conformation competition.
A really well done piece!

Coeur d'Alene Dog Fanciers is an American Kennel Club (AKC) affiliated club.

23/08/2021

Attention all Handling class students. There will be NO Class on the following dates. I will be taking my first vacation in nearly 40 years without a dog, just my hubby and I.........a much needed event!!
Woodinville - Tuesday Sept. 7th and 14th
Snohomish - Thursday Sept. 9th & 16th

Classes resume as usual the week of September 20th.

Snohomish students - also there will be NO class on Thursday Sept 30th as I am show chair for the Harrier National!! Class back to normal on 9/30 onward!!

28/06/2021

Good to know all the places where this deadly stuff for dogs might surface. Here is a very complete list!!

This xylitol products list can help you identify the brands to keep out of reach of your dog. Xylitol toxicity can be fatal to dogs. Extreme caution!

16/05/2021

Please continue to be courteous of all your fellow students.

I am fully vaccinated, but will continue to wear a mask, as I get up close with each of you and your dogs.

This just came in from owner of French Creek Pet Resort!
Since the CDC and State of Washington have updated their COVID Guidelines, French Creek Pet Resort classes will follow these new guidelines regarding masks in class. We want to emphasize that we want to continue to be cautious and respectful of our fellow students, especially those who may not yet be vaccinated, or have a medical condition that makes them especially vulnerable. We also don't want to be the Mask Police, so your cooperation is appreciated. So, here goes:

COVID-19 TEMPORARY CLASS RULES AS OF MAY 15, 2021

Fully vaccinated students (at least two weeks past final shot) who are willing to provide proof of vaccine may choose to go without a mask. You can take a pic of your vaccine card with your phone and email it to [email protected], or bring a copy to class and put it in the payment box. If you or your child is not yet vaccinated, or you do not want to provide your vaccine card, continue to mask up, and if you are concerned for ANY REASON, let Barbara or Lisa know, and we will ask all people in that class to wear their mask when they are around unvaccinated or vulnerable students. This is just being courteous towards your classmates. If you are feeling sick or have a fever, please stay home!

We just want everyone to have fun with their dogs in class and not be stressed. We will follow the Science and Guidelines of the Infectious Disease experts. These rules are in effect until further notice.

Thank you!
Lisa and Don Eckhardt
French Creek Pet Resort.

11/05/2021

Just a reminder that classes in Snohomish at French Creek Pet Resort (formerly Stables) resume this coming Thursday 5/13 and I have openings at 7, 7:30 and 8!