Paus-n-Train provides year round dog training classes in Obedience, Agility and Rally-O. Drawing on the "Positive reinforcement" philosophy of dog training, Sharon Worsley uses what is commonly referred to as the "clicker method." With class sizes limited to 4 students per trainer, each participant can benefit from one on one time with the trainer.
On May 28-30 Oakley, (6 year old Bichon/Poodle X) and Columbus, (11 yr old Bearded Collie) competed at the Agility Association of Canada Regional Championships in Fergus ON for the chance to advance to the Canadian National Championships, August 5-8. This is a very special Nationals as it is the 10th anniversary and it is returning to the venue where it all started, Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta.
In order to qualify, each dog is required to collect 350 points from 6 runs over the course of the weekend. Two each of gamblers, jumpers, and standard. What challenging runs they were!!! To get our 350 points we competed in a 2 standard runs worth 100 points if we did them fault free. Oakley lost 25 points in her first standard however the next day she completed that course fault free with 8.51 seconds to spare giving her some bonus points. Her gambler runs added 31 and 27 points to her total, even though she did not get either gamble. Both of her jumper runs were fault free, again with bonus points for being under time. In fact on Sunday, she was in such a hurry, she ended up placing first in this run, a personal best for her!!
Oakley finished the weekend in 7th in her division with 403.96 points!
Columbus finished in his division in 13th place with 461.60 points.
I am back working with my Columbus. For the regional due to my arthritic knees I was pleased to have Janeel run him for me. I found it enlightening to watch him run with Janeel and she did a great job, however I miss the fun of running so I am out there trying to get him used to be me being slow! More rear crosses for me and he is getting it!
Janeel found herself in a very competitive class with Columbus! In both her standard runs they ran faultless, gaining bonus points for their speed. In the Sat jumpers they were again faultless earning bonus points however in the second jumpers they incurred 5 faults. In the gambles courses they acquired 34 and 30 points but did not get their gamble. So well done!! Great team effort!!.
Janeel and I are both working very hard to improve our gambling skills As well as practicing at home, we are also training under Sue Miller in Uxbridge. She is really giving us a work out!
This will be Oakley’s first plane ride ever and hopefully she’ll be able to follow Columbus’ lead as he has flown previously to Prince George BC to compete at his very first Nationals.
Wish us luck!!
I have been training dogs since I got my first Bearded Collie in 1992. I believe only in "'Training the Positive Way." This involves positive reinforcement with words and treats. Integrating fun and play into all training lessons makes it fun and rewarding for both you and your dog.
My methods are based on some of the best trainers in North America. To gain experience, for many years I assisted with obedience and agility training at K-9-Klubhouse. I continue to further my knowledge of canine behaviour by attending many seminars and workshops to advance my skills with some of the best trainers: Ian Dunbar, Gary Wilkes, Carolyn Clark - Operant Conditioning, Cheryl Smith - Aggression Dog to Dog and Dog to People, Donna Duford, Jean Donaldson, Turid Ruugas, Greg Derrett, Susan Garrett and others. My favorite workshop was Bob Baileyıs Chicken Clicken, and Leslie Nelson -Positively successful. Most recent Ian Dunbar pet dog aggression and on to International Professional Pet dog trainers conference at the end of Oct.
Results of my training techniques speak for themselves. My three Beardies have achieved their Canadian Championships, Companion Dog and Agility titles in ACC, CKC and AKC .Last year, Bentley and Columbus have earned their Novice Rally-O Titles and Bentley also earned his Veteran Advanced Agility Title. Both Bentley and Columbus also have their herding title, since they are a herding breed!
Columbus flew out to Prince George B.C in Aug /03 to compete in the agility Canadian Nationals If you watch top dogs -you just might see him.
The next year Columbus and Bentley headed for the Canadian Nationals held in Montreal Quebec August 14, 15, 2004.This year Bentley, Columbus and I traveled to Saskatoon to compete at the nationals. What fun we had!
We drove there with a fellow competitor and her deaf Dalmatian. What a thrill to discus and plan course strategies with some of the top handlers and world team competitors! I was thrilled to help other handlers with their strategies! Upon returning from the Nationals both the dogs have earned their CKC Excellent Agility titles and Bentley got his Masters in AAC. The experience that we gain at the Nationals truly pays off.
What started out as a summer hobby business in 2000 is now a year-round facility. Paus-N-Train has an out door 100 x100 fully fenced agility field and has just built a 48x48 heated training facility that is now being used for our fall and winter classes just 11 kms north of Lindsay
Paus-N-Train offers obedience, puppy train and play (9 to 15 weeks), special classes in Rally-O ("obedience"), Freestyle, and agility from beginners to masters levels. Agility equipment is sturdy and built to AAC regulation standard with the utmost safety of your dog in mind."
NOTICE: Sharon and Columbus will be competing at the Agility Nationals and will be away first 2 weeks of August 2010. Sharon will continue to check her emails during that time.
