Last updated Wed, Apr 24, 2024
Enhancements to our Awards and Schedule pages are done! Thanks for your patience...both are much easier to navigate now with the new links. I wish I would have added them years ago! My next project - a page with my pups including my Chelsea Golden Retrievers. Highlights of the wonderful seven generations of Goldens and their people I have known starting with my first "Chelsea" prefix litter in 1980!
Hello trainers!
Brighton Community Ed Class New Session Starts!
Session starts are pending gym and classroom availability.
Trainers should move up to the next level to attend soon after graduaton to get the most out of the program.
If attendance is not possible due conflicts or age readiness, consider doing the Puppy Plus or O&M Extra specials offerings.
These specials are offered with BCE. To inquire, contact the instructor (not BCE).
Structured Puppy Classes
January, March, May, September and October.
Obedience & Manners (O&M) One:
January, March, May, September and October.
Obedience & Manners (O&M) Two
March or April (depending on spring break no class dates), May and October.
Two Plus:
March or April (depending on spring break no class dates), May and October.
Special! AKC Rally-Obedience*
January or February with interest.
Special! Puppy Agility, PreAgility and Recreational Agility*
May and September and/or October.
*If interested, contact the instructor (not BCE) early. Specials to be scheduled in advance.
See my Results Schedule page for upcoming starts, link at top. Note the BCE web site only shows the group classes they are currently registering for.
Results Rendezvous! On Friday, March 1, it was great meeting with previous trainers in MI visiting, Carrie S. & Robert L. Carrie started training with me at my north Howell training facility doing recreational agility after basic training in the early 2000s with Missy (now at the Rainbow Bridge). Returning later with Mason CGC and Monty, all American Cocker Spaniels. Robert began training when I started with BCE bringing Golden Retriever & Am. Cocker mixes, (AKA Dakota Sporting Dogs), Lucy Lu (also at the R. Bridge) and Maddie. They followed their horse trainer and moved to Ocala, FL, the 'place to be' if you show horses!
We met at Tony Sacco's in Hartland and had a wonderful 'catch up'. Our food was cold before it was half gone, lol! They are doing great and have settled into their new home. Both like the new neighborhood and especially enjoy their built in swimming pool when the temp and humidity are high. Robert is working at Chewy's - how fitting and the paws enjoy the perks, too!
So sweet, they both mentioned that they miss my classes. (Carrie loved training so much that years ago she replaced her self propelled wheel chair for a battery operated one so she could participate in higher level training and events!) They both extend a "Hello" to all the trainers that they have trained with here over the years! Ann C. - Carrie was especially interested in hearing about you and "Aggie CGC RN" - St. Bernard mix.
The Canine Combustion USDAA Agility Trial Saturday, March 2 was a treat for a few reasons. Shannon V. - "Penny" - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel reached out the week before to say hello and share that she and Tom had recently acquired an older Rottweiler puppy, "Quest". Shannon registered her for the BCE March 12th Obed. & Manners - Level One class. The timing was good, as they recently lost their Rottweiler "Zar" to cancer. So sad... In Shannon's email she mentioned the upcoming CC trial if I was interested in going to watch? I had tentative plans already, but...plans changed!
Penny and Tom had trained Rottweiliers with me in the 2000's. At that time, my competition Agility classes were very successful and fun! When Shannon joined O&M One with Penny, she said she wanted to do competition agility. I told her I was only offering Recreational Agility, not competition classes. As I did not want to hold Shannon and Penny back at the time, I suggested she go train elsewhere. Shannon insisted that she wanted to do Recreational Agility Level One with me, anyway. Thus, following graduation from that class, I politely 'pushed them out of the Results - Pawformance nest'. She and Penny did join a mid level session and only needed to work on weaves...how cool is that?
All is good as they are currently exhibiting in AKC Masters Standard and Open JWW! (Recently starting JWW after attaining titles in Standard).
As Natalie B. (current Shelties, Eljay and Tucker) and her past Sheltie "Boomer RN" (now at the Rainbow Bridge) had trained with Shannon and Penny here in Rec. Agility, Nat was interested in going to watch, too. New to USDAA, Shannon and Penny garnered two qualifying "Pairs" legs with her friend Nicole and her Australian Shepherd. A little bit of a size difference, but Penny does keep up with the big dogs. Being raised with Rotties, and knowing Penny, that is no surprise, haha!
The news below may be a little out dated, sorry! I've been running and busy doing 'spring outdoor work'! A refresh will be coming soon...
Over the holidays, our 'decades long group of trainers' met at Mexican Fiesta in Hartland. It was great to see everyone again and hear updates on the paws! And thanks to the Mexican Fiesta staff for accomodating us, our visit was a bit long. Luckily, Tuesdays are not too busy and we were attentive to making sure we did not over stay our welcome by keeping an eye on the tables as guests were being seated. Well deserved generous tipping for the staff followed!
Results Rendezvous! Another 'paws' fix over the break. The members of the Ingham Co. Kennel Club (ICKC) put on a wonderful show weekend! Planning to only attend for a few hours is always impossible once I arrive. I lose track of time when seeing many long time friends as well as meeting some new ones. It was difficult to be everywhere I wanted to be! Agility runs were entertaining (sometimes for various reasons)! Especially nice to meet new puppies that friends are starting and a few older pets I've missed meeting in the past. Simply put, I had a fabulous time!
Travel smart, espcially if you are going out of state... Luckily, so far the 'mystery flu' has not been too much of a concern in MI. The ICKC shows this past weekend in Lansing had many absences out of caution. Thanks to those from out of state that chose to stay home out of consideration. Michigan and Ohio have been lucky, but our neighbors in Indiana and Illinois have not. It was great to see so many long (almost life time!) people with new puppies! Haha, a wonderful way to get a 'fur fix'! Update mid-January, still not a concern per some local veterinarians...phew!
Every time the snow melts, walk your property and pick up sticks, scat and other items that may be tempting to your pet. Remember with the warmer weather, odors may entice your pet to leave the property. Melting lake ice may also be a hazard! Be sure to monitor and use a long or drag line if needed to keep your pet safe.
Aspirin pain relief products and Xylitol. Meds should be cleared with your veterinarian before giving. Note that Xylitol sweetner is very harmful to dogs and it may now be found in aspirin! It may cause a sudden release of insulin which then leads to a sudden drop of blood sugar. Be aware it is found in many products, check labels before letting your pet share snacks that are labeled for people. Please check with your veterinarian for a safe pain management.
Potty Training When It's Cold Outside!
If weather warrants, put a coat or sweater on your pet! Most breeds will appreciate your thoughtfulness. I personally have trained all of my pups to go outdoors soon after getting them. Using newspaper in the first week or two for baby puppes if needed. This early start on a newspaper will be handy in the 'golden years' if your older pet loses ability to hold for long periods of time...
This time of year... it's tough to expect a young puppy to be comfortable in the very cold and harsh weather. You may want to consider training for now to be both in and out. Especially if you have a very young pup or a frail, sick or older pet that is in need of training. You may also consider training your pet to go indoors if you have several flights of stairs to reach an exit door. Better to have your pet go in an acceptable indoor area than to decide to relieve itself in random areas...
Training indoors? Be sure to put a cheap piece of vinyl flooring down and then use potty pads or newspaper on top of this flooring. Position it by the exit door you have chosen. When the weather subsides, then train your pet to go outdoors. Some trainers prefer to use litter systems and/or potty pads forever. You know your situation and living environment. Do consider if your pet may be traveling with you - and - cross training if possible so your pet is comfortable in a variety of environments.
If your pet is used to going indoors and you wish to transfer the potty area to the outdoors, plan ahead for a hopefully easy transistion. Be sure to shovel snow to the relief area and shovel down to grass. I do not recommend training to go on an adjoining deck as some pups may not leave this area and go in the designated potty area later if outdoors alone. Pick up any sticks and items that your pet may find interesting in your designated area and keep your pet on leash so it is not able to entertain itself by meandering.
To start your pet in a designated area, simply get a 'sample' of pee and poo to take outdoors if you do not have another pet using the designated area. Soak a paper towel with your pet's urine. Store in a ziploc bag by the exit door. When taking your pup out, pick up the soaked paper towel and put on the ground. Or place a soiled potty pad on the dirt or grass. With a little luck, your pet will make the connection and go. Remember not to praise until your pet is finished going (not when it begins) per discussion at class! Hurry back into the house and give a treat!
Traveling Tip!
When traveling with your pet, it's best if your pet is comfortable on leash and able to potty away from home. For that reason, acclimating your pet to being on leash when relieving itself is a terrific idea. Some people never do this and their pet may resist going if leashed - so sad for the pup! Remember the 'how to do' tips shared at the end of your first class with me (if you stayed for same).
Slippery Outdoor Area? Use a pet-safe salt or substitue for safer footing. My go to if I don't have a pet safe melting product is a pail of sand to spread. Away from the house around barns and chicken areas, straw may be helpful. If straw is spread on ice, you may slip, so apply to rough areas or when there is a partial thaw.
Do keep your products somewhere where it/they will not get wet and freeze solid. Some people use regular clay cat litter - I have had pups that wanted to eat it - thus, I don't use it!
If walking your pet in an area where regular salt may be? Example - on sidewalks, roads and streets. There are special products you may purchase to provide your pet pad protection. I have used a dab of Vaseline on the bottom of feet which may keep the salt from burning.
Be sure to wipe off your pet's feet when you're back indoors. Even better, dip each paw in a small pail with warm water and towell dry. The "Steady" is helpful for doing this if you have taught it!
Or socks! My first Great Pyrenees, "Maggie" was regularly seen with argyle socks and a matching scarf after she went through heartworm treatment (before heartworm preventative was readily available). Due to same, her circulation was impaired and I believe she actually appreciated 'getting dressed'. Maggie was so cooperative when I put her socks on. Such a sweetie, I still miss her after fifty plus years... I have a couple cute pics of her 'modeling in cognito', precious!
Pet edibles from China!!
This is not-so-new-news, but many well known stores have chosen to still sell treats on their shelves coming from China. There have been documented cases of thousands of pets that have died or became seriously ill from digesting food with toxins found in them in our country alone. Be sure to check labels and discard anything with "China" on it!! I find it sad what greed can do to people in the trade that we assume care about our pets... Too much info to share here on this subject - Google and learn.
Important Link Here:
FDA Pet Food Recalls & Withdrawals
DIY Long Line
If you are in need of a long line, looping two leashes together will work. Or, to save money - you may make one! Simply purchase parachute cord for smaller pets or clothesline or boat cord for larger ones and simply add a bolt snap. Adding another bolt snap at 20+ +/- intervals if longer lines are needed will save time if your pet may get tangled is a concern. Using a harness on your pet instead of a collar is recommended and be sure to supervise!
If you prefer to keep your pet in a limited area, consider an over head cable to provide for exercise. Consider ample 'head' room for people when setting this up! Again, a harness may provide a safer connection than a collar. Supervision is important, too. Pets can get tangled and visiting animals - including children - may come on to your property. : )
Donating? Keep your money local and give to the agencies that actually use the vast majority of the funds for the animals. There are many 'businesses' and even some local non profits that are skilled at taking advantage of people that have a soft spot for animals. Heart-wrenching ads on television can attract you. There is one agency that receives much money which provides their admin staff annual salaries of not only six digit figures, but high multiple hundred thousand $ salaries. TAILS DOWN!
Please help to spread the word! Your referrals are most appreciated. Business cards are available for drop off at pet related businesses and veterinary hospitals. Please share when you can! Much of my business is word of mouth and spreading the word will help ensure I'm still running when you get a future pup, thank you!
Enjoy your training journey and life with your pet!
My best, Mary T.
2022 Results & Pawformance Rendevous Titles & Honorifics!
AKC Canine Good Citizen
Joe G. & "Bruce" Doberman Pinscher, much training with George (and Marge) G.
Test pass with Joe at Sportsman's DTC in Warren. Congrats everyone!
AKC Canine Good Citizen with Therapy Pass
Maureen K.'s "Suki" - Labrador Retriever & Poodle mix.
No other information was provided. Congrats, Suki is a sweetheart!
A small group of Results - Pawformance Sports! trainers plan on doing AKC Rally-Obedience trials later this year!
We're looking forward to that. Hopefully my next update here will have some news to share!
Recently lost pets, I'm hoping your memories offer some comfort.
Such a gift it is to have experienced the love and bond with a dear pet.
Sadly, not all people are fortunate enough to have this experience, be thankful for the time you have had!
"Ace" - Rottweiler - Kyle K. and Ken E.
"Zar" - Rottweiler - Shannon and Tom V.
"Meka" - Akita - Cindy H.
"Hercules" - Belgian Malinois - Tom S.
"Lucy-Lu" - American Cocker Spaniel & Golden Retriever, a 'Dakota' mix - Robert L. & Carrie S.