Sniffer Dog Training Calgary

04/03/2024

It can feel awkward if you’re unsure how to behave around a medical alert service dog handler and their dog. I recommend smiling at the handler and ignoring their service dog. The handler might be too busy to notice your smile, but if they do, it could make them feel welcome or even make their day. And they’ll appreciate it if you don’t distract their working dog while it's performing a life-saving task.

Not all disabilities are visible, but service animals always have essential jobs and the right to access public places where pets aren’t allowed.

Service dogs must attend to their handler to perform their jobs properly, so please avoid approaching, petting or photographing them. So, SMILE AND IGNORE.

Learn more in the top 10 FAQs about service animals from the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT) at https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7181387916458295296

02/23/2024

Global TV News interviewed me about Medical Alert Service Dog Training with Hunter’s Heart at the Beast Boutique today. Watch for me, students Sheila Watson and Tilley and Ellen Scharf on the news on Fri. Feb. 23 (likely at 5 & 6 pm newscasts), possibly on the 11 o’clock news and maybe also on the morning news on Sat. Feb. 24, 2024.

Learn more about our medical alert seminars at https://thebeastboutique.ca/training-seminars/

01/04/2024

7 DAYS TO SCENT DETECTION | HUNTER’S HEART
Mixed Scent Classes Starts Wed. Jan. 10, 2024, 8 – 9 pm
• By default, we’ll provide a handler-scented article. (Ask us if you want to train medical alert, nosework, NASDA, etc. and we’ll explain how to prepare your samples.)
• Mixed levels – We’ll adjust to your needs. Requests are welcome e.g. new target odor, nosework competition, troubleshooting or double blind testing.
• Beginner teams – Learn how to introduce a new target odor and build motivation for searching.
• Choose scent detection or urban tracking.
• Reward using food or toys.
• There is only one dog in the room at a time, so that reactive dogs can succeed.
• Puppies welcome with vaccinations.
• $250.00 + GST for 6 weekly one-hour classes.
• Minimum enrolment – 2 students. No refunds unless minimum enrolment is not met.
• Instructor: Carla Simon, professional scent detection/medical alert trainer.
• Hybrid classes - in person at the Beast Boutique plus online course (if you’d like to do homework).
• Register 403-452-5232, https://thebeastboutique.ca/training-seminars/

12/25/2023

Seasons greetings to all of our clients, friends and families! May 2024 be a year full of new adventures!

12/11/2023

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Linzi Williamson on behalf of the CAPDT, in “Evaluating and Researching the Animal-Human Interactions: An introduction to the Pawsitive Connections Lab”. One of the things I learned was that service dogs frequently provide benefits to the families and friends of their owner. While a service dog is trained specifically to perform mitigating tasks to help their owner (like interrupting nightmares for an owner with PTSD), Dr. Williamson’s research also highlighted the larger role that service dogs play in the overall support system of connecting family and close friends. Thanks Linzi, for sharing your knowledge and making many of your resources free to the public.

Thanks to the participants for submitting questions! As always, I appreciate your support.

For those of you who couldn’t attend,
• the recording of Part 1 (the presentation) is at: https://lnkd.in/dDQErPwv.
• the slides are at: https://lnkd.in/dxU-b4pw, and
• Part 2 (the Q&A) is at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tTYm2hSJqpwMj4AOmFOXEUSCtWByFogN/view?usp=sharing.

10/18/2023

Canine influenza was identified in a dog in Calgary this October, according to the University of Guelph, Centre for Public Health & Zoonoses. Learn more about the potential risks and steps you might take to protect your dog at https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2023/10/articles/animals/dogs/canine-influenza-in-alberta/?fbclid=IwAR2eAoLOV73AJLMCX1J24aObKd21C1byldsJL_5bxqPMhAz_2-y_8jynW94

09/07/2023

I’m delighted for a brief interview on the benefits of scent detection canines by Global National news, but sorry that I can't share it due to Facebook's block on Canadian news.

07/16/2023

It's fascinating to see and hear dogs determining track direction and committing to following a specific person. A similar decision-making process is likely to occur in scent detection and hunting as well. In this study, The deciding phase lasted 3–5s, while the dogs sniffed at 2–5 footprints, before following the track. During the deciding phase, the dogs moved at half the speed and their periods of sniffing lasted three times as long as during the other two phases. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=819612146203213&set=a.549305146567249

Interessanter Artikel über eine Studie der Universität Oslo über die Fähigkeit der Hunde, die Richtung einer Spur zu bestimmen.
Getestet wurde mit Tracking-Dogs, also Fährtenhunden, die mit tiefer Nase suchen auf Gras und Asphalt.
Aber das Ergebnis spricht für sich.
Nach nur rund vier Metern (2-5 Schritte) auf der Fährte konnten sie die Richtung klar definieren.
Wenn man überlegt, wie gering der Altersunterschied des "Geruchs" auf diesen wenigen Metern ist, kann man sich vielleicht ungefähr vorstellen, wie gigantisch die Nasenleistung unserer Vierbeiner ist....

https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/180/1/247/6534/Behaviour-of-Dogs-During-Olfactory-Tracking

04/10/2023

I'm looking forward to attending "Emerging research on cognitive health in dogs" free webinar.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/your-best-friends-brain-emerging-research-on-cognitive-health-in-pets-tickets-595003099287?aff=MorrisAnimalFoundation&eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=1eddeea2-1948-48ed-b607-80689ae5f692

Extensive resources are dedicated to understanding human cognition and its effects on overall health – but what about our pets? What does cognitive decline look like in cats and dogs, and what can we do to keep their brains healthy?

Our host, Dr. Kelly Diehl, a board-certified small animal internal medicine specialist and Director of Science Communications at Morris Animal Foundation, will explore pet cognitive health with Dr. Starr Cameron and Dr. Michael Khan, two veterinarians currently researching canine and feline cognition. They will share important insights into prevention and treatment of, and common misperceptions about cognitive decline.

There will be a Q&A at the end of the webinar. To submit your questions in advance, email [email protected].
Monday, April 24, 5-6 p.m. MT
Free + Virtual
Save Your Spot

Your Best Friend’s Brain: Explore emerging research into cognitive health in cats and dogs. Powered by Morris Animal Foundation

03/31/2023

URBAN TRACKING & MANTRAILING at the Beast Boutique
Saturdays including April 1 (tomorrow), 2 - 3:30 pm
• Come try something new with your dog. No previous experience is required. Beginners welcome!
• Try it once for $50 or get a 6-pack for $250.
• Advanced teams, email requests for troubleshooting or what you want to work on to Carla ([email protected]).
• PRE-REGISTER 403 452 - 5232 (office open M-Sat). Note we’ll be training many Saturdays, but not every weekend.
• Class is at 4 - 6115 - 4 St SE at the Beast Boutique. Please park at the front/East entrance and potty your dog around the parking lot so you don't contaminate any tracks. Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/xu1BFhdFdfbUYbwS8

Let's get sniffing!

03/22/2023

Last chance! SCENT DETECTION CLINIC this weekend (Calgary) with Carla Simon, nosework judge and professional scent detection trainer at Hunter's Heart.
Finding scent can become your dog's favorite game!
* Get answers to your questions at the online webinar Friday.
* Saturday/Sunday - Beginners imprint target odors using rewards-based motivational progression. No previous experience required. Choose handler scent, CKC nosework cocktail, or other scents for deployments.
* Advanced troubleshooting e.g. high hides, converging odors, clearing rooms.
* Price per session: Working $150, Audit $50. Watch different breeds and learn to read your dog better.
Location: The Beast Boutique (by Glenmore & Blackfoot Tr.)
INFO: https://thebeastboutique.ca/uncategorized/scent-detection-intensive-clinic-march-24-25-26/
SIGN UP: (403) 452 – 5232