Wednesday 26 December 2012

Update from Andi and Family

I worked with Andi and his very committed family with their dog Fletch two years ago and back then it was it was impossible to work him, let him off the lead and trust him with other dogs. Now things are a lot more different.



Here is an update from Andi:


He's now off the lead on a daily basis on the park! I feel that this summer we really turned a corner with him. His recall is usually excellent and on some walks he socialises with up to ten other dogs.
Occasionally his chase instinct gets the better of him and he's gone. At first it was difficult to just let him go and not call him. But now i carry on walking and watching until the chase has died down and then call/whistle and he's usually straight back at high speed.

I feel some of this is simply down to him having matured and slowed down a little. But would like to think that some of it down to us and Bertie dogs hard work. Whatever the reason he's a pleasure to take out these days. Well, most of the time!

Monday 22 October 2012

Bertie Friday inters

                                    A short clip from our Friday inters - Caroline and Jasper

                                                                 Doreen and Rosie



www.bertiedogs.com
www.sheepdog-training.co.uk

Tuesday 9 October 2012

NEW ENROLMENT


W e are now enrolling for our new dog training courses at both Oadby and Church Langton venues. The courses will commence: 9th and 8th November respectively. Place numbers will be restricted to ten in each class and you can either enroll via our website or in person. Please email or telephone for details.  Email: nij@bertiedogs.com Tel: 07530 439561- www.bertiedogs.com

Thursday 21 June 2012

Missing Dog at Brockshill Returned

During our training at Bertie yesterday I was informed by one of our members that someones dog, a springer, had been chased by two German Shepherds and headed out of the car park. one of our members  Phil, also a springer owner, decided to join in the search as did the rest of the members once the class had finished. Despite a thorough search not only around the grounds but neighbouring and distant streets Buddy could not be found. We gave up the search as it started to get dark around 10:00pm. At around midnight Maggie, Buddy's owner, was contacted by staff at Asda in Oadby who had found him safe and well and happy in their company. Apart from a slight foot injury Buddy is now happily home and no doubt being spoilt rotten.

Maggie has asked me to extend her thanks to everyone that joined in the search and she was overawed at the support that was shown to her at a time of considerable distress.

Nij Vyas
www.bertiedogs.com

Saturday 19 May 2012

Bertie Beginner and Inters

The last 4 months has marked the best period of training and commitment I have seen for many months. Members have shown tremendous commitment to the club and more importantly to their dogs at both Oadby and Church Langton venues.

Many people find the training process difficult however for me the basic ingredients are:

to keep things simple

be confident

expect to succeed

stay silent where possible  - remember body language is also another form of communication

trust your own judgement and learn to observe your dogs body language

focus on what you are doing and less so on the dog

if you are having fun your dog will pay you more attention

practice 4 times a day and not when you are taking the dog for a walk.


We will be outdoors as of next week so please bring sun cream, parasoles, plenty to drink etc


Nij Vyas
www.bertiedogs.com

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Bertie Outdoor Training at Brockshill Country Park and Stonton Wyville

Outdoor training will commence at Brockshill next Wednesday at 7:00pm for the Beginner Class and 8:15 for the Inters. There are still places available if you wish to book. If you have concerns about the weather we will endeavour to be there every week and if the weather is only slightly inclement we will continue. Please bring waterproofs in case. There is some shelter available. The cost of the course has been reduced as has the cost of the inters.

Outdoor training will also commence at Stonton Wyville on 24th May so please hurry up and book as places are restricted.

Nij Vyas
http://www.bertiedogs.com/

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Bertie Inters and Beginners

I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed training at Bertie as much I have in the past few months.The club is enjoying a renewed interest  and long term commitment from owners with small breeds and it is such a joy to see these dogs develop and find their true personalities and attain their full potential. They have so much to offer apart from their cute looks and their owners joy has been so visible when their dogs have performed beyond what was expected. Amongst the breed mix we have a yorkie cross, a dachshund, West Highland terriers, Cavaliers, and various cockapoo type crosses.

More and more people are commiting to long term training and the dogs without doubt are the benefactors as they learn to enhance their ability to use their working senses. Exercises involve searching for food, toys and even their owners as well as consolidating the basics.

We hope to provide photos and videos soon. Well done to all the members and keep up the good work.

Saturday 31 March 2012

New Bertie Intermediate class - Wednesdays

If you have completed a beginner course either at Bertie or elsewhere and wish to continue with your dogs training please contact us as the course will soon commence on 11th April at 7:30 at Rosemead Drive, Oadby. The course will focus on consolidating the basic elements as well as providing new work orientated challenges which will help to keep your dog's mind occupied. Places will be limited to 7 in the class.

Philip and Rufus - Oadby Inters

Philip and Rufus joined us only two months ago starting in our Fast Track one-one class and then joining the inters. To say that Rufus was a a handful is an understatement, however he was also quite sensitive. Over the weeks both made progress though it was slow however in the last two weeks Rufus started to gain his confidence. On the last night of the Inters Philip informed me that he was going to take a six week break before rejoining the class and after some delicate threatening behaviour on my part Philip agreed to stop on. He even took on the offer of a free session in last nights Friday inters. All I can say is since Tuesday Philip must have consolidated 6 weeks of training because having joined the class as newbies he left with a dog that complied with every request, completed every exercise confidently and looked like a veteran. Well done both for all your hard work not to forget Philips wife who also train the Rufus.

Success I find is always just around the corner and if you give up you will never find it.

Please take a look at the following video:


Absolutely fabulous - Maria and Maisie - Church Langton Beginners

This week saw the last of the beginner sessions at the Langtons venue. Maisie came to us 7 weeks ago and could not walk on the floor let alone take part in training.  three weeks later she started to grow in confidence which left her with just three weeks remaining on the course. Last Thursday on the last night Maisie was in the middle of doing heel work when she suddenly stopped. Rather than continue I asked Maria to leave her, call and stop her after one step. Maisie obliged. She went on to do a stand stay, down stay, having refused to lie down before, greeting test, heel work, recall etc to earn the foundation certificate in but ten minutes of work. Maria is to join the intermediate group on 12th April and ordinarily would not have started any work towards the Foundation certificate until then . Yes of course she made mistakes but at 7 months of age and having such a difficult start what Maria and Maisie have achieved was a first in Bertie history and Maria must take full credit for being able to take advantage of this opportunity. Below is a short video of them working.


Many members have heard me say that learning to read your dogs body language is far more important than listening to me and this point was proved here.

Read the next blog for a report on Philip and Rufus.

Monday 26 March 2012

Bertie Review required

Would members be good enough to leave a review for bertie on the following sites please:

http://www.freeindex.co.uk/myfreeindex(display-reviews).htm

http://www.yell.com/ucs/UcsSearchAction.do?keywords=bertie+dogs&location=&scrambleSeed=78369304&searchType=&M=&bandedclarifyResults=&ssm=1

http://www.qype.co.uk/place/1585619-Bertie-Dog-Training-Leicester

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:1625f5e36e4e4ce3

Oadby Inters and sheep social

Bertie inters at Oadby will be held at Rosemead Dr, same as te beginners on Wed 11th April onwards. The session will start at 7:30 pm and is open to anyone who has completed a beginner course. Places will be limited so please contact us as soon as possible to book a place. Email:  nij@bertiedogs.com

There are still places available for the sheep social session on 1st April at 9:30-11:30am.

Saturday 24 March 2012

Dogs Vs Bitches

It is worth bearing in mind when you sometimes notice your bitches being of colour, going of their food or  being indifferent in response to training exercises that their change in mood may be due to pre-seasonal behaviour. Sometimes this can occur up to two months prior to their season and despite many bitches coming into season on average 6 monthly it is no unusual for their first season to be around 8/9 months.

Similarly dog behaviour will change as they approach 6 months of age and they can become more aloof and ignorant.

I have found it useful to keep a diary of their mood and behaviour changes so that you are able to predict them in the future as well as a record of when they start and finish their season.

If you work your dog you may find that bitches may not change during work but around the home they will be different. You will have to be sensitive to their moods and look to deflect their behaviour rather than get drawn in and be frustrated or angry.

Thursday 22 March 2012

Bertie Langton Beginners and Inters

Beginners

Young Dotty  a collie course started a few weeks a go a bit of a handful, barking pulling but what a transformation a few weeks can make. Positive and calm handling on the part of his owners has transformed this young pup into a calmer more biddable dog that is now showing tremendous promise. The journey is not over yet but the potential of this dog is evident to all and I for one am looking forward to seeing this pup develop.

Inters

The inters continued their good work from last week and it is a joy to work with this committed group of dog handlers who are finding success easy to come by although probably are not so positive as I am. Now the basics have been consolidated the members are now able to undertake more work orientated exercises such as scent and nosework.

There are still a few laces left for the sheep social on Sunday 1st April if anyone is interested.

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Bertie Oadby Inters

The Oadby inters last night turned up with different dogs last night.  All of a sudden the dogs are grown up and feeling comfortable in the training environment which probably speaks volumes for how calm their owners must have been feeling. It is an absolute joy for me to see handlers with small dogs treat them as dogs rather than accessories and our Yorkie cross and Dachshund are proving that there is more to them than just the cute factor. That they have brains and personalities. Dog training is not just about well behaved dogs but it gives an opportunity for owners to build their dogs confidence, to give them coping mechanisms  and all of theses lead to a well balanced dog.

I am looking forward to seeing how all our inter dogs progress over the next 12 months.

Last night was also about the Bertie Foundation certificate and all of the handlers achieved success in the various elements.

Further information on theses can be obtained on: Foundation Award - download here for details
Advanced award - download here for details

Monday 19 March 2012

Bertie Dog Training - Outdoor summer course dates now available

Outdoor training at both Stonton Wyviille and Brockshill Country Park, Oadby have now been finalised so please contact us to book a place. Our summer courses have proved very popular and to enable people to go on holiday we are again offering two short 5 week courses as well as the fast track training. Discounts will also be on offer for those joining the intermediate classes.

Bertie Venue change

We have once again managed to secure the Oadby United Reformed Church for the Intermediate one class so classes will change from Tuesdays to Wednesdays as of the 11th April.

We are still holding out for another venue in Wigston and news will follow as soon as we are informed.

Both intermediate classes are performing really well at the moment and we look forward t seeing the dogs move onto the inter two class.

Friday 16 March 2012

Sheep social

On Saturday last we had a sheep social session at the farm with 7 dogs and their owners. The session looked ta the level of training necessary and the commitment needed to achieve success with dogs in difficult surroundings. The mix of dogs was interesting from Yorkshire terriers to cross breeds. The major focus was on introduction to sheep as well as recall based training, looking at the various techniques I use to actually work my own dogs on sheep. All in all the session proved very useful with everyone achieving some success and leaving with a new found confidence.

There will be another session very soon on April 1st so if you are interested please get in touch as soon as possible as places a restricted.

LANGTON INTERMEDIATES ROCK

Never in my two and a half years have I seen so many dogs transformed in less than two weeks. The hard work put in by the inters at Church Langton was so evident that last night was by the the best nights training I have enjoyed since the club started in Harborough.

On Tuesday a similar transformation was achieved by the Oadby Inters.

It is worth bearing in mind that most dogs will always behave and perform  better at home and the dogs with the greatest potential will often be the worst behaved. All that is required is time and patience and of course hard work.

Two more weeks left for the inters and we look forward to everyone moving into the Friday night Intermediate two class or Thursday at Church Langton.

ALL IN ALL A VERY SATISFYING WEEK. WELL DONE!!!

Thursday 8 March 2012

EXCITING NEWS REGARDING NEW VENUE

There is a possibility that Bertie will secure a new venue in the Oadby/Wigston area as of the end of April. We would like to hear from members old and new as to whether they feel a Wednesday night would be more convenient for the Beginner training than the current Friday evening. If so we will endeavour to swap our Beginner and Intermediate classes round.

This is what we will be considering:

Wednesday: Intermediate one and two
Friday: Beginners or
Wednesday Beginners and Intermediate one
Fridays: Intermediate two

Would you please email us at: nij@berteidogs.com and let us know which option you would prefer/preferred given personal circumstances like child care, swimming classes, dance classes, football etc

Sunday 29 January 2012

Bertie Dog Training at Oadby and Church Langton

Bertie are now enrolling for the Market Harborough Church Langton dog training course commencing 23/02/2012. Please us on: nij@bertiedogs.com

Bertie are now enrolling for the Oadby dog training course commencing 24/02/2012. Please us on: nij@bertiedogs.com

The venue is ideal for Leicester, Gt Glen Kibworth and Wigston.