Endeavor Working Dog Club

21/09/2024

New research published in the JAVMA reveals that teaching dogs to voluntarily dunk their heads in water is the most effective method for rapidly cooling them down after exercise.

13/08/2024

High drive working dogs do show pain, but it's not always obvious. The problem is that we are not typically trained or skilled in identifying early signs of soreness. Having a “critical eye” is not a skill that most people naturally have, but it's one that we can develop.

02/08/2024

Trainers sometimes get frustrated when they don’t see the progress in their dog they expect or desire.
They often respond by pressing harder, hyper focusing on the specific area in which their dog is not advancing….the exact opposite of what many dogs need.

They have a vision of how they want their dog to develop; a preconceived timeline of what a dog should be doing and when. If these expectations aren’t met they mistakenly convince themselves if they could improve “X”
(ie a wider outrun, squarer flank, better pace, stronger shedder etc)
all the pieces would come together.

But the key to helping dogs realize their full potential isn’t found by achieving the perceived next step,
improving a single aspect, employing a more sophisticated technique or trying a new gimmick.
Rather it’s found in the standard, understanding and totality of all the bits of training that comprise “the body of work”.
More specifically, it’s dependent upon the quality of the fundamentals, coupled with the right mindset.

Foundational skills are paramount and there is no embarrassment in going back to improve them; once mastered, they provide the springboard for future breakthroughs.
Focusing on these and staying in one place a bit longer gives your dog a mental break. Moreover, you reap the benefits found in the power of habits.
The repetition and routine inherent to core fundamentals develop confidence and cultivate mental fortitude.

It is a better and much less detrimental approach than pushing a young dog too hard to take the next step if he’s not ready.
While some dogs learn very quickly others need time to plateau, get a bit more experience, confidence and maturity before they’re ready for the next step.
Dogs that are slower to develop are very different from precocious dogs when they are young, however, if nurtured correctly, the two dogs can appear indistinguishable as trained dogs.

Instant results or training epiphanies are not common and the majority of the time, sudden improvement is actually a reflection of the cumulative body of work. The little nudge from a different approach that achieves quick and marked progress, probably wouldn’t have had a fraction of the effect without the supporting body of work.

One of the best gifts you can give your dog is letting go of the expectations of what you want him to become, and accept him for who he is—
As you help him through what he finds difficult, keep in mind
every dog learns at a different speed, requiring it to take the time it takes, for your dog to understand and enjoy a new concept.
Being patient in your training empowers learning, fosters partnership and strengthens your bond.

17/07/2024

Penn Vet Working Dog Center's very own Cindy Otto has won the 2024 Special Award from The Kennel Club

Dr. Otto, has been a faculty member at Penn Vet since 1991, received a trophy, and $10,000 for her groundbreaking work on the health and welfare of working dogs.

Inspired by her 9/11 deployment, she founded the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, supporting research, education, and training for detection dogs. Her work improves human and canine health through search and rescue, law enforcement, and medical detection.

Dr. Otto shared, “It is a true honor to receive this award. I am grateful to the ICHA, Vernon and Shirley Hill, and The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, but mostly to the amazing dogs and their human partners who have inspired and supported me.”

We are incredibly proud to have Dr. Otto on our team!

08/07/2024

It’s not about how much you succeed with your dog, it’s about what happens when you don’t...

On days when things don’t go your way, confidence, ego and even your commitment may take a hit.
How you handle those times can make all the difference in being the best partner to your dog.
While for some success comes early and easily, for most, it takes time, hard work, discipline and a lot of mistakes.
For others, it can be even more difficult, coming only after refusing to allow circumstances, setbacks and disappointment be the final story.

Success is a process that is not just about winning, it’s also about progress.
It’s important to be motivated by the accomplishments within your goal and equally important not to fear disappointment, as it provides the road map for what you need to change and improve.
Success has many faces, that show up often, but it’s up to you to recognize and derive the relative sense of fulfillment. It can include:

Understanding and executing the next step in training
Solving a problem (or not creating one by being impatient)
Taking ownership of what you’ve trained (or haven’t)
Being accountable and not blaming your dog
Recognizing when you shouldn’t or should ask more of your dog and yourself
Letting go of ego and expectations
Having a growth mindset
Developing mental fortitude
to name a few.…

In times when success is hard to find, disappointments offer opportunity to spot weaknesses and let go of bad habits.
They are important to acknowledge, and not dispute or hide, as self-awareness is critical for development and becoming better.

You’re the only one that can define what success means for you—
To attain your definition, you’ll likely need to take risks, be uncomfortable, seek help, make sacrifices, have disappointments, learn new skills and be willing to change.
I have many weaknesses that I work on everyday and I’ve found the more I try to improve personally, the better partner and trainer I am for my dog.
macraeway.com

26/06/2024

We debunk myths and clarify the facts about canine heat injury and canine heat stroke. Discover the latest research on how to keep your dog safe. Discover signs of overheating, effective cooling methods, and hydration tips to ensure your dog stays healthy and happy.

07/06/2024

Thank you Canemo. Great read and perfect timing.

Confronting a trial projected to be 30 degrees warmer than where you live and train can be a nerve racking dilemma and we're going to talk about just what options you have. Please understand much of the science and research that has been cited here is human, not canine. While we're both mammals, the...

16/05/2024

Good luck to Endeavor members trialing this weekend at Desert Mountain DVG trial!

24/01/2024

Endeavor is happy to be hosting Christian Gomez for a working weekend, March 1-3, 2024.

$110/dog/day working spot
$50/Audit for non-club members

Contact Susan Ramsay, [email protected], 5056606677 to reserve a working spot or for more information.

Come and join us!

21/01/2024

Well said!