Dogs On The Ball

30/08/2024

Fit Dog Fun! Just a few of our Fit Dog Gym members working out this evening-

19/08/2024

Rodeo Dog in Virginia-
You can learn more about the sport of Rodeo Dog here: https://rodeodog.weebly.com/

Time to get your Rodeo On!!! Team Trillium will be offering 2 days of Rodeo Dog trials in Oct!! I believe the first trials to be held in Virginia :-) Oct. 19th at Walnut Hill Farm in Reva and Oct. 26th at Freedom Farm in Oak Park (both are in Madison County) more info to come!

14/08/2024

14/08/2024

Here is a great synopsis of the AKC Fit Dog program!
I offer local Fit Dog classes as a Level 3 AKC Fit Dog Trainer/Instructor, and I am one of only four Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach (CCSC) in Virginia.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1084322169723399&id=100044368781664

A core component of the AKC FIT DOG program is walking with your dog, something most of us do with our dogs every day. Walking is a gentle exercise that can help improve overall health for both dogs and people, and now walking the dog can put you on the path towards new titles.

13/08/2024

23/06/2024

Our dog’s comfort zone is critical to learning and our relationship. Great graphic illustrating why, and link to Deb Jones blog post on the topic: https://k9infocus.com/under-threshold/

23/05/2024

Does your dog struggle to focus in novel environments with training or searches?
Here’s a class for that! Not skills and drills. This is Content To Scent-all about focus and emotional response to the environment. A strategic combination of acclimation process, start button games, focus exercises all in a training loop adapted for scent sports.
4 weeks, starts July 18. Space limited to 4 only. Love On A Leash Dog Training. Details and signup:

20/05/2024

Most of us start training our dogs in physical fitness for the obvious strengthening benefits. For me, it started in 2014 when I realized that my lightning fast whippet, Flash, might hurt himself just sprinting around the yard. I never had a dog that moved that fast, like a rocket! In my "vet tech mind" of years past, I cringed with visions of cruciate tears and worse....

Most of us start training our dogs in physical fitness for the obvious body strengthening benefits. For me, it started in 2015 when I realized that my lightning fast whippet, Flash, might hurt hims…

20/05/2024

2024 Summer Class Updates -
Just added SENIOR DOG WORKSHOP!
June 20 & 27: Stronger for Longer, Fit Dog Senior 2 Part Workshop, details and signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B45AFAD2CA6F5CF8-49773811-stronger

Introduction To Fit Dog- Training for Body and Brain! 4 week Class starts July 18. Details and signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B45AFAD2CA6F5CF8-49743229-introduction

Instructor: Char Turner, LVT,BS, CTDI, CSCC
Love On A Leash Dog Training

16/05/2024

Great ideas for safe and beneficial fetch game

07/05/2024

🏃 🐕 The first Canicross race in Virginia is coming to VRSVA! Mark your calendar for the 2024 Rehab Rover Canicross and Trail Race - 10k, 5k, and Casual 5k Dog Friendly Trail run/walk on October 5, 2024!

This special event will include exclusive canine vendors, food trucks, a biergarten, music & more!

Registration is now open — click the link to learn more and sign-up! https://runsignup.com/rehabroversignup

06/05/2024

Cooperative Care-a gift for your dog and yourself. If you are interested in a class at Love On A Leash in Harrisonburg, please email Char, [email protected].
Lower the stress of husbandry and veterinary care, building trust.
Taught by Char Turner, LVT, BS, CSCC-
trainer, licensed veterinary technician, and judge/evaluator for the Fenzi TEAM Cooperative Care certificate program. Taught with patience and building trust in cooperation.
See more here:

As a trainer, licensed veterinary technician (ret.), and judge for the Fenzi TEAM Cooperative Care Certificate program, this is an area in which I am very experienced and it is close to my heart. C…

25/04/2024

THE YERKES DODSON LAW 📣

Increasing generalized arousal is essential for optimal performance BUT excessive arousal impairs performance. 🤯

This is commonly seen in the dog sports world, but is also an issue in for the average pet. This can look like hyperactive behavior, over excitement, and/or reactivity. 💥

What is important is that our dogs do have the ability to regulate their arousal, but for some dogs this is a challenge. 🐾

There are many things that you, as the trainer or pet guardian, can do both passively and actively to help your dog learn how to self-regulate. Allowing a dog time to process the environment and encouraging sniffing activities are two ways you can support your dog learning to regulate their arousal. Incorporating these activities in your training plan are essential for those dogs that struggle with arousal regulation. 🙌🏼

14/04/2024

Force-free training and behavior modification in the Wi******er, VA area.

10/03/2024

While many of us may already be aware of this at least on some level, I’m glad to see scent sports in general evolving in this direction. It truly can be a sport for all dogs when appropriately trained.
Thanks to The Dog Driven Search for this:

09/03/2024

Scent sport friends:
I highly recommend reading The Dog Driven Search, by Sue Sternberg and Dana Zinn.

Did you know that your dog being out of condition can decrease their olfactory sense by up to 63%? (The Dog Driven Search, p. 147)

21/02/2024

This 4 week intro class starts April 4 at Love On A Leash, Harrisonburg. It is hands on, personalized training with only 4 dogs per class. I have 3 spots open as of now. Email Char if [email protected]

Training your dog to be fit and functional to fully participate in whatever the chosen lifestyle, is one of the best gifts you can give to your dog and your relationship. The benefits are many incl…

17/02/2024

Titer has become a very important and often controversial term in today’s veterinary world. No laboratory test in my memory has been more misunderstood, misinterpreted, misused, and downright maligned by owners and veterinarians alike. The most extreme example is the rabies vaccination. While this...

11/02/2024

Local dog friends- spring Canine Fitness session starts March 7 at Love On A Leash, Harrisonburg VA.

Taught by Char Turner, LVT, CCSC, Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach accredited by NC State School of Veterinary Medicine.

My classes more than meet the requirements for AKC Fit Dog because I want each dog to get what they need, not just a cookie cutter program!
Private consultations also available by appointment.
I customize programs for *your* dog-sport dog, senior or couch potato-I love them all and will meet them at their level to help them be better!

Details here:

Training for enrichment, relationship, and fun! "It is paramount to know the difference in what will make them or break them. When you acknowledge the dogs' needs your training goals beco…

10/02/2024

Something different and fun!

Trillium Valley Dog Training, LLP is proud to announce that Rodeo Dog has come to Virginia! We will be holding workshops and practice runs to learn all about this great sport!!
The first workshop will be held at Misty Dogs Animal Wellness and Training on March 23rd. There will be a morning and an afternoon workshop as the morning session filled up quickly.
To register: https://mistydownsanimalwellness.com/workshop-schedule/?fbclid=IwAR0NEduOxSF5iCnUUbr3n5E416ZK8AclQIL3Q9k3RQVLyni3PQZeC1gK0ZQ

Get your Rodeo On!!!

For more info on Rodeo Dog check out their website here: https://rodeodog.weebly.com/

07/02/2024

Why I don't use the term "command"-it is an authoritarian approach and assumes more repsonsibility on the dog than the training/trainer.

24/01/2024

Zen Logic!
This is a great online course at Fenzi Dog Sport Academy, starting Feb. 1. It is all about training impulse control, and making it fun!

I am Deb Jones’ training assistant for this course, so if you sign up to participate at the bronze level you can join the Facebook study group where I will address questions and provide feedback on your training videos as you work through the course.

More about this course from Dr. Jones’ blog:

Does your dog have a hard time being still, calm, and relaxed? You are not alone! I mean, it doesn’t seem that difficult right? Yeah, not until you try to convince your dog. Years ago when I was working on my initial cooperative care training exercises I asked my vet what she wished most dogs

13/01/2024

Scent training-Lost Item Recovery with NASDA.
Here is my 11 year old Flash searching for a 3/4 inch metal binder clip with my scent.
If you are interested in NASDA Lost Item Recovery (handler and stranger scent search) or Shed Hunt (antler search) I can offer a class if there is enough interest! Both of these fun scent sports can be titled by video if there are no live trials nearby. Right now there is at least one club in Virginia, and growing.
If you are interested in a class or lessons, PM or email me: [email protected].

10/01/2024

This may be my last update on the topic in the short term unless things change. The good news Things seem to be waning, if not back to normal. Since we

09/01/2024

New for 2024! I am now offering private training on Thursday evenings at Love On A Leash, Harrisonburg VA.

My programs include:
-Fitness Training-Strength Assessments and Program Design for young dogs, senior dogs, couch potatoes, sport dogs.
-Focus First- engagement & focus foundations
-Scent Training Specialties- Lost Item Recovery, Shed Hunt (NASDA)
-Content To Scent- for scent sport dogs who struggle to train and search in novel environments.
-Trick training including AKC Trick title Evaluations
-Cooperative Care for husbandry, grooming and veterinary procedures.

Thursdays, 6:15-7:15 and 7:30-8:30 pm.
Appointments now:
January, 6:15-7:15 is (full)
7:30-8:30 pm is available.
February and March are open now:
6:15-7:15 or 7:30-8:30 pm.

For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact Char by email: [email protected]

Details on my programs can be seen here:

Char Turner, LVT, BS, CSCC, CTDI, Trainer/Instructor “It is paramount to know the difference in what will make them and what will break them, emotionally and physically. What I won’t do is co…

04/01/2024

Link to paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195561623001158?via%3Dihub

02/01/2024

Did you know there are 3 types of sits in canine conditioning? Here is Wilkie demonstrating a proper rock back sit.
The movement is precisely trained to build rear end strength, requiring that the stifles are flexed prior to the front feet coming down to the platform.
Want to learn more? Join us in Fit Dog class! I have one spot open starting next week, Thursday Jan 11, 5:00-6:00 at Love On A Leash. Send PM or Email: [email protected]