Jenn goes to Charlotte for Dr. Sophia Yin Seminar

I was not thrilled to learn that Jenn was going away again.  I guess I shouldn't be so peeved because she was going to Charlotte to see one of her favorite speakers, Dr. Sophia Yin.  Dr. Yin is a veterinarian that specializes in animal behavior and resolving behavior problems using reward based methods. 

Jenn said the weekend was terrific and that she was so on board with Dr. Yin's methods and philosophies, including the best way to handle behavioral issues is to address the underlying issues and understanding how animals learn is critical.  She does not recommend quick fixes or punishment which simply suppress behavior in a given situation.

Here's a great video that highlights Dr. Yin's philosophies about how training a dog should be like leading a dance:

Jenn recommends Dr. Yin's books for pet owners including How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves,

 

and The Perfect Puppy in 7 Days.

Dr. Yin has an awesome website with resources for pet owners, trainers, and veterinarians.

K9 Kindness Launches No Choke Challenges

I am so excited to tell you about what Jenn and other local reward based dog trainers are doing with K9 Kindness!!  

K9 Kindness is a public awareness project in the Triangle region of North Carolina that is dedicated to humane education and promoting reward based (pain-free) alternatives to dog training techniques and collars designed to hurt, startle, and punish.  One of their projects is called the No Choke Challenge.  

The No Choke Challenge helps humans and dogs learn a more rewarding way to walk together.   Prong, choke and shock collars can be exchanged for a free Walk Your Dog With Love Harness, a K9 Kindness treat pouch, treats, a Jing-A-Ling Dog Bandana, and a five minute lesson with a reward based trainer.  

Here's a very happy human and her dog enjoying their new harness from the No Choke Challenge...

Check out this video from the No Choke Challenge that took place on June 2nd at the Durham Animal Protection Society's Walk for the Animals: 

 

How can you help K9 Kindness and their mission to provide humane education and humane training equipment to dogs and people in the Triangle?

Donate-K9 Kindness needs donations to support their programs and outreach.  You can make a tax deductible donation on the K9 Kindness website here.  

Be Our Friend-Friend K9 Kindness on Facebook and ask your friends to friend us too.  The more people that learn about reward based training, the more we can help dogs in the Triangle and beyond. 

 

Volunteer-K9 Kindness is completely volunteer run and we need volunteers to spread our message, participate at booths at various dog events, etc.  Contact Jenn for details on volunteering by visiting the K9 Kindness website.

Upcoming No Choke Challenges include September 8th, 10am-4pm, at the NCSU Vet School Dog Olympics in Raleigh and October 6th, 10am-2pm, at the Paws4Ever Walk for Animal Protection at Southern Village in Chapel Hill.