Hello, Fellow Dog Lovers!
You know what they say...April showers bring May flowers! If April is any indication, those of us here in Atlanta should be in for a very flowery May. Hopefully it's been a bit more dry where you are!
And if you don't have fun summer plans, don't despair! Coming up this winter, there's an amazing opportunity to enjoy balmy weather alongside yours truly. In December 2017, The Victoria Stilwell Positively Cruise will be taking to the seas! Learn more about this one-in-a-million trip here. As always, throughout this newsletter you'll find exclusive content and training tips that you won't find anywhere else. Hope you enjoy!
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Join the VS Academy’s First California-Based Class! The first class of UK students has graduated from the Victoria Stilwell Academy, and the next class of US-based students is finishing their final assessments this week. But if you’ve been looking to get started learning from Victoria and her fabulous team of dog training instructors, now’s your chance! Read more about the UK classes here. VSA is now enrolling its next UK-based course which begins this June, and is excited to announce registration is also open for its first ever west coast-based US class! This new class kicks off in October in Southern California, and until now, all VSA classes have held intensives either in the UK or Atlanta. With new easy access for the west coast and Midwest, we encourage all those of you who have been waiting for us to come closer to you to jump at this opportunity!
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After eight exciting, emotional episodes, Guardians of the Night has wrapped up its inaugural season. Click the link above to watch the final episode, which gives a funny and candid behind-the-scenes look into the making of the show.
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Positively Contributor Tom Mitchell discusses the importance of using value to your advantage in dog training.
If your dog values chasing the squirrel over interacting with you, then what’s the outcome of the situation where both of those things are on offer?
How about if your dog values playing with other dogs more than recalling to you in the dog park? What’s the outcome to that one?
We know the outcomes… we have all been there! Here’s the important bit though, your dog likes you, your dog loves you, in fact, your dog absolutely adores you. You cannot and should not let this affect your relationship - it’s just a matter of value.
Where the value sits is completely changeable. Where you are now is not where you are going to be in three weeks time, nor is it where you are going to be in 3 months time! YOU have so much more control over your destiny than you think.
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Positively Contributor and VSPDT Erica Lieberman gives her advice on helping your dogs adjust to a new baby. If you have a dog who has aggression, anxiety, fear, or any other behavior issues, and you have been working on this with a trainer, first of all, good for you! Second, when you find out you’re expecting, you should talk to your trainer about changing your training plan. This might seem obvious; of course you now have to focus your training on preparing your dog for your baby, but the approach I’m suggesting is a little different than what I have heard, and even suggested in the past. I would drop most of the training portions that don’t involve management. Invest your time in training your dog to tolerate, and even enjoy the management, rather than worrying about your behavior modification plan. Your time will be better spent training your dog to wear a muzzle or spend some quiet time in his crate, than trying to cure a behavior problem before your baby arrives. If your dog can safely and comfortably wear a muzzle, and calmly tolerate a crate, there is little he can’t do!
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Victoria will soon be closing nominations for the Kindness is Powerful Awards, brought to you by the Petco Foundation and the Victoria Stilwell Foundation. Do you know an exceptional person who deserves this award?
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Have you picked up your copy of Victoria's newest book, The Secret Language of Dogs? In it, you'll find all sorts of fantastic facts and information about how your dog thinks, learns, and perceives the world. Also now available next month in the UK!
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The 2017 UK Dog Bite Prevention & Behaviour Conference is just a few months away and tickets are going fast!
This unique two-day event is the UK's preeminent dog training and behaviour-related conference, and features an incredible lineup of presenters.
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Denise is a qualified trainer registered with the IMDT, APDT, and PPG, is a graduate of the Academy for Dog Trainers and is currently studying an MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Lincoln. Denise uses only modern, science-based training methods. Need a dog behavior expert near Bishops Stortford, Herts? Get in touch with Denise today:
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Victoria helped bust a large-scale puppy mill in Habersham County, Georgia earlier this month. Thanks to the work of Habersham County Animal Control and the Humane Society of the United States, all the animals are now in safe hands.
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| It is up to you to set up your newly adopted dog for success. It's unrealistic to expect a new dog to be able to cope with a dinner party shortly after coming into your home. He likely won't know where to appropriately eliminate, or what not to chew on. We have to teach them these things! Consider confining him to a smaller space in your home for the first few weeks until you get to know him better. If you keep your expectations realistic, both you and your new dog will be better able to adjust to the new routine.
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