Categories
- AKC obedience trial
- Australian shepherds
- Beginning agility
- Class notes
- Clicker training
- Come when called
- Conformation
- Dog agility
- Dog behaviour
- Dog toys
- Dog training
- Fronts & Finishes
- German shepherds
- heeling
- horses
- In the news
- K9FUN Store
- learning theory
- Malinois
- NADAC
- New!
- Obedience training
- old friends
- operant conditioning
- photos
- Rants
- rescue
- Retrieve
- Schutzhund
- Service dogs
- Stories
- Uncategorized
- web design
Archives
Acknowledgements
While I have learned from many dog trainers over the years, a few stand out. Thanks to Glen Johnson, who early in the 80s taught me about inducive training. And also to Bill Dotson, who introduced us to Schutzhund and Search & Rescue.
Thanks Tracey Louper for letting me help teach classes, and being my friend and sounding board for new dog training ideas.
Special thanks to friend and mentor Michael Ellis. Michael is a gifted dog trainer and teacher, and almost everything I use and teach these days comes from Michael.
And thanks to Ivan Balabanov, who started our club, Big Sky Schutzhund Club, on the way to becoming thinking dog trainers.
Category Archives: Malinois
Yellowstone Valley Kennel Club Conformation Show
After the Blackfoot shows, we had one night home, then headed down to Billings for a conformation show I got talked into entering with Zappa Dappa Do. Of course, Zappa blew his coat in Blackfoot, and was pretty hairless for the show, especially compared with the other dogs. But, the judges looked at him with [...]
Also posted in Australian shepherds Leave a comment
Baley needs a home with no squeaky toys!
So far, the little brown dog has no real issues with anything we’ve thrown at her. But yesterday one of the big dogs found a squeaky toy (a really obnoxious one) and they were all taking turns making a racket with it when I found baley under the desk in the kitchen. I watched her [...]
Also posted in rescue Leave a comment
Baley has settled in…
…and is about as relaxed as any little brown dog could be. Zappa is turning himself inside out trying to get her to play, and in his inimitable way is actually succeeding. She shows a tiny bit of interest in toys but only when Zappa is trying his best to get her to engage. All [...]
Also posted in rescue Leave a comment
Be careful what you teach!
Lexi did a very nice job her first time in Open. We weren’t any where near being ready, having just started teaching the broad jump three or so weeks ago… but I’m the kind of person who has to enter to get motivated to train! While I didn’t have high hopes of qualifying, I knew [...]
Also posted in AKC obedience trial Leave a comment
Baley goes to the vet
Yesterday Baley & Derek & I all went to the veterinarian’s office for rabies shots and a heartworm test. Well, Baley had the rabies shot and the heartworm test, Derek & I just went along for the ride. She was happy to see everyone, especially the ~8-year-old boy that was there. While she didn’t like [...]
Also posted in rescue Leave a comment
Baley
She’s coming out of her shell and starting to act like a Malinois. A tiny, bat-eared, submissive Malinois, but she’s starting to run and play. If she is a purebred Mali, her breeder needs to find a real job. Here’s a pic from today.
Meet Baley
Baley comes to us from the shelter in Caspar, Wyoming. At first glance, she is tiny, maybe 45 pounds, and looks to be around 10 months old. She is possibly a Malinois mix, although her outline and type look pure Malinois. Her head looks too big for her body, but she’s skin and bones; we’ll [...]
Also posted in rescue Leave a comment
Store at the Five Valley Trial
The store will be in Lolo (Missoula) this weekend at the Five Valley Kennel Club’s AKC agility trial. We’ve got some new items in stock, including Malinois approved sheepy balls, bones and buddies from Premier. Also, Premier “Terry Ryan series” treat pouches. Hope to see you there!
Also posted in Dog agility, Dog toys, New! Leave a comment

Teaching Zappa articles