How well trained is your dog?

How well trained is your dog? Take the poll!

Dog Works Training Centers: Camp Works Dog: Carmi

Camp Works Dog: CARMI

Client’s Name: Lynn P.

Dogs Name: “CARMI”

City: Colorado Springs, CO

Breed: English Cocker Spaniel

Likes: being where you are all the time

Pet-Peeves: being alone

Favorite Toy: stuffed giraffe chewy and kong toy

Favorite Treat: Puperoni and Zukes

Favorite Walk: Carmi enjoys being outside wherever we are and loves the distractions

Best Trick: Camp Counselor “Qyain” says if I can calm down for just a second I’d be perfect.  I let my high prey drive distract me.

Arrival Story: I came to Denver Dog Works to learn how to be obedient, not jump and walk nicely on my leash, not bark at the door, or lunge at every moving thing.

Bio: I am 9 months old.  I live in Colorado Springs with my mom and my best friend.  I am excited about my program so I can show off what I know.

Motto: “Are You Gonna Go My Way”

We proudly feed and recommend

Michele Forto | Team Ineka | Alaska Dog Works | Mushing Radio | Dog Works Radio | Denver Dog Works | Daily Post

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Michele Forto is the lead trainer for Denver Dog Works and Alaska Dog Works and the host of the popular radio shows, Mush! You HuskiesandDog Works Radio Show

Dog Works Training Centers: Camp Works Dog: Milo

Camp Works Dog: MILO

Client’s Name: Amy and Tim E.

Dogs Name: “MILO”

City: Windsor, CO

Breed: Jack Russell Terrier

Likes: people watching

Pet-Peeves: being told what to do

Favorite Toy: ball

Favorite Treat: puperoni

Favorite Walk: Loves going to the people park and watching the kids play

Best Trick: Camp Counselor “Qyain” says even though I’m an old dog its not too late for me to learn a few tricks.

Arrival Story: I came to Denver Dog Works to learn how to be obedient, not jump and walk nicely on my leash.  I recently lost my loved one and moved in with her niece.  It’s been a difficult transition for me and they thought coming to Denver Dog Works would be good for me.  So far, I’m having lots of fun teaching the puppies and I’m getting used to walking nicely on leash and listening to commands.

Bio: I am 8 years old.  I was “loved” by my mom very much and was placed on a pedestal and could basically do as I pleased.  It was a dog’s life for sure.  In my new home, there’s more people and other pets so I must follow different rules.  Michele, my trainer, is making sure I’m having a good time and learning the basics.

Motto: “I Shot The Sheriff”

We proudly feed and recommend

Michele Forto | Team Ineka | Alaska Dog Works | Mushing Radio | Dog Works Radio | Denver Dog Works | Daily Post

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Michele Forto is the lead trainer for Denver Dog Works and Alaska Dog Works and the host of the popular radio shows, Mush! You HuskiesandDog Works Radio Show

RoboCop K-9

Have you heard the news!  You can equip your dog with high tech gadgetry. Your dog can be outfitted for gear like an infrared headlamp for night vision, an ear radio (Bluetooth) so you can communicate commands to him remotely, protective armor for shrapnel and the best gadget yet, titanium teeth.

This is a misconception! There have been lots of rumors started lately by the media reporting that the military and police k-9’s are being outfitted with Titanium teeth.  My research found this to be untrue.  That being said, this picture has surfaced since the recent news of Bin Laden’s death.

The Belgian Malinois in the photo above appears to have Titanium canines – these apparently cost $2000 per tooth.  Now I know several people who will do anything for their dogs – but this is extreme.

[Read More: Mystery Dog at bin Laden Compound Creates Buzz]

The media reports that these teeth can pierce armor and cause horrific damage.  Well I can speak from experience and a dog with his original canines can inflict some horrific damage as well.  A few years ago while working with a police dog I was attacked and suffered several bites, bruises, and 4 broken ribs.

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Michele Forto is the lead trainer at Denver Dog Works and the co-host of the popular Dog Works Radio Show

What is Camp Works?

At Dog Works Training Centers, you can sign your dog up for camp.  Sounds fun doesn’t it?!  Well it’s a bit of work and a lot of fun for your dog.  What better way for your dog to spend a few weeks during the summer while you’re away on vacation.

What exactly is Camp Works:

In the Camp Works Program, your dog will learn to sit, down, heel, and come on command. These obedience commands set the foundation for the components of our program: physical conditioning, confidence building, and off-site training.

Our Camp Works participants have every opportunity to run and grow. We create an environment based on values and proper manners and reinforce inherent strengths. During all of our Camp Works programs, participants are taken on weekly field trips to public and private training sites where they participate in obedience, socialization, and in drills that simulate real life conditions. Your dog will learn how to meet and greet people of all ages and diversity and follow commands even with the potential for distractions.

 What to Expect During a Camp Works: 

Manners: Meet and greet people of all ages without jumping, lunging, barking, or whining for attention. Also as a part of learning manners your dog will learn to wait at thresholds until given a release command to follow.

Confidence Building: Dogs learn to work through various conditions that build confidence. Physical touch, games, loading/unloading from vehicles, up and down stairs. Dogs learn to be environmentally stable, to deal with adversity and are exposed to the public in a positive fear-free way.

Field Trips: Field trips for puppies are essential in properly socializing them. Field trips are designed at Denver Dog Works to properly introduce your dog to environments, places, people, and other dogs in positive controlled situations. Dogs will travel away from Denver Dog Works to train in other public and private training areas.

Physical Conditioning: Daily cardio and strength training. Camp Works dogs are taken on several walks daily, given opportunities to free-run, in certain cases taught to jump short jumps and other agility maneuvers and learn to work on and off leash.

Behavior Modification: Custom tailored drills designed to modify a dog’s aggressive or unwanted behavior (separation anxiety, barking, etc.) This is where each dog learns manners and respect training.  No jumping, sitting politely for petting, learning to be invited up on furniture or our laps(for small dogs) etc.

Obedience Imprinting: Practical and necessary obedience commands for daily living. Each dog learns up to 18 obedience commands with stays being a major focus as well as distractions.

Sounds great, but what happens when I come back, will my dog remember me?  Will he listen to me? When your dog is returned to you, you undergo a thorough send home where we showcase what your dog has learned, what he is still working on(depending on age), and show you how to administer commands to your dog.  You will then return for two private follow ups and continue to master your handling skills through our lifetime group class that is part of your program.

How do I sign up?

Visit our website at www.denverdogworks.com and click on the evaluation link or simply call me at 303-578-9881

The Adventures of Alaric

It’s been a great while since I reported about Alaric. In my last blog regarding him I mentioned that his path had changed and he had been returned to Denver Dog Works.  He was placed 3 months later with a new person in need and she did not feel comfortable with the articles.  With her permission today I am pleased to announce that Alaric has graduated the service dog program at Denver Dog Works and is know a Certified Psychiatric Service Dog.

Alaric visits often and participates in group classes so his handler can become more comfortable with his commands.  He is doing very well.  If you recall, Alaric was a bit fearful of other dogs – NO MORE!  He gets along wonderfully with other dogs and ignores them completely when his vest is on.

We are so proud of Alaric and know that he will live out his days helping his handler whom he loves so very much.