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February Newsletter!
We are happy to report that we have reopened to classes and clients! After needing to close down for most of January, this is a big relief. We cannot wait to welcome you all back and have some fun together (safely)! For anyone who had private sessions booked during the closure, Laurie will be reaching out to you ASAP and we will also be reaching out to the new puppy requests over the next week. Please know that we will try to get to you as quickly as possible but the nature of bookings can take some time.
I do want to say that I appreciate your patience and dedication during this very difficult time and I am overwhelmingly touched by kind words of support through this past month. As a small business owner, I strive to serve the community and am so grateful for each one of you. When starting as an entrepreneur, you hear about all that it entails (long hours, heartaches, stress, etc.), but what no one tells you is the heartfelt support you receive from your clients and how their dedication to their dogs gives you a reason to push forward no matter how frustrating or hard it is. So for that, thank you all.
But we were able to get creative in January to ensure the baby puppies still had the chance to learn some important dog to dog skills. We arranged Puppy Drop Off Socials for the month of January where puppy class participants could drop their puppies off for a 30 minute structured and supervised play date. Laurie and I were able to help shy puppies build confidence and more outgoing puppies learn social skills! What fun! Check out our Facebook page for pictures of this cuteness!
Due to the backlog that January's closure has created, we are not able to offer as many play dates as we would like in the month of February due to lack of openings but we tried to add as many as possible. We are also holding off on announcing new classes due to the volume of classes currently posted and available. So stay tuned for next month for some additional fun to be added.
As always, stay safe and keep those tails wagging!
Your friend,
Yvonne Ferguson, CPDT-KSA, CTDI
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge & Skills Assessed, Certified Trick Dog Instructor,
Behaviour Consultant - Quinte Canine
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Upcoming Classes!
Since you are one of our lucky newsletter subscribers I am offering you the first opportunity to register for upcoming classes with us! Because classes are limited they can and do fill very quickly. To be fair to all, we cannot hold spaces without completing the registration process. All classes are designed for dog and people friendly dogs who are up-to-date on core and rabies vaccinations.
If you have a dog with special needs please contact us to discuss how we can work with you.
Our physical location is 987 Old Highway 2, Belleville, ON.
(Half way between Belleville and Trenton along Highway 2, directly across from Connon Nurseries)
We want to do everything possible to ensure that we keep our community safe. Should the government of Ontario increase restrictions once again and force us to close, our in person group classes switching to a virtual classroom. We use a virtual classroom to 'meet' in a safe way. The class is run live and you are able to see, communicate and see demonstrations in real time. You still receive all the class handouts and we are here to support you even outside of class! It is also important to understand that if vaccine passports are required by the government in the future for dog training classes, all students will need to show valid proof of vaccination. Those unable to provide proof of vaccination will need to be transferred to virtual classroom.
Puppy Class
For puppies 8-16 weeks of age. Don't delay! Important information: click here Class is $130+HST ($146.90 including taxes)
Wednesday February 16 at 4:00pm (Feb 16, 23, Mar 2, 9, 16 & 23)
Wednesday March 2 at 5:30pm (Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & Apr 6)
Wednesday March 16 at 2:30pm (Mar 16, 23, 30, Apr 6, 13 & 20)
Wednesday March 23 at 7:00pm (Mar 23, 30, Apr 6, 13, 20 & 27)
Teen Basics
This class is for Quinte Canine Puppy class graduates who are under 6 months of age. Class is $130+HST ($146.90 including taxes)
Tuesday February 8 at 7:00pm (Feb 8, 15, 22, Mar 1, 8 & 15)
Tuesday March 1 at 4:00pm (Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & Apr 5)
Monday March 28 at 7:00pm (Mar 28, Apr 4, 11, 25, May 2 & 9 - no class Apr 18)
Tuesday April 5 at 2:30pm (Apr 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3 & 10)
Tuesday April 5 at 5:30pm (Apr 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3 & 10)
Basic Obedience
For dogs over 16 weeks of age to learn and refresh skills. This class is designed for dog and people friendly dogs only. Dogs who bark, lunge, growl, etc are not appropriate for this class. Great for dogs who have not attended a class before or for anyone looking for a refresher! $165+HST.
Thursday March 10 at 11:00am (Mar 10, 17, 24, 31, Apr 7 & 14) - Just 1 space left in this class
Friday March 11 at 1:30pm (Mar 11, 18, 25, Apr 4, 11 & 25 - no class Apr )
Scent Detection
For any dog with a nose! The dogs in this class learn to search and find target scents in hidden locations. Students build confidence to work up to competing with their dog in the Sport Detection Dogs Association trials or Canadian Kennel Club trials. This is a great class for dogs of all ages, breeds, special needs and personalities and helps to provide great mental stimulation! $130+HST ($146.90 including taxes).
Basic Scent Detection Level 2 (prerequisite is level 1) - Tuesday April 5 at 1:00pm (Apr 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3 & 10)
Rally-O
Quinte Canine's Rally classes are built for dogs aged 5 months and older who have previous intermediate level obedience experience (with Quinte Canine or elsewhere). Visit: https://www.quintecanine.com/rallyo for more information. $130+HST ($146.90 including taxes).
Beginners - Thursday February 3 at 2:00pm (Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb 3 &10)
Registration
To register for any of the above classes visit: https://www.quintecanine.com/registration
Once payment is made and the registration form has been received, we will process your class enrolment and send you an email with all of the details and class handouts. Please note that those who submit both payment and form (payment only needed for existing students) will receive first opportunity to register.
New - Although the registration process above is always to fastest to secure a space in class, walk-in enrollments are accepted Mondays from 3-5, Wednesdays 4-5 and Fridays from 1:15-3pm (this will be updated on the Contact page of our website as it may change in future months). Please remember to bring your dogs vaccinations.
Classes are limited in size to provide dogs and handlers with maximum learning opportunities. Because they are limited they often fill quickly. In the very rare case a class does not fill with the minimum number of participants (50%) we may choose to postpone, reschedule or cancel classes. Should this occur, we will provide the option to participants to apply their class registration fee toward the postponed or rescheduled class, an alternative class or provide a full refund.
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Play Dates!
We have play dates available for puppies and young dogs who are very well socialized and enjoy the company and play of others. Play mates are matched up based on a number of factors to help build your dog/puppies confidence and skills. Play dates are 30 minutes each and are just $15 taxes included, due at the play date. All dogs and puppies joining must be up to date on vaccinations in order to join the fun. If you are new to play dates (have not yet attended one) and would like to join, please email us at quintecanine@hotmail.com, so we can match your dog accordingly.
Please note that if you sign up for a play date and are not able to attend you must provide at least 48 hours notice so we can fill your space, otherwise our standard play date fee still applies. Please be sure to mark your calendar as no reminder emails are sent. Handlers remain with their dog/puppy throughout the play session to learn more about dog communication. Please email us all of the dates/times that you are interested in and available for and we will be sure to match you up as best possible with other dogs/puppies that suit your dogs temperament. In some cases, larger dogs may join small groups and adult dogs may join puppy/small groups - this is based on the temperament of the dog(s).
Play Dates
Thursday February 12 - 12:30pm - Puppies up to 16 weeks
Tuesday February 15 - 4:15pm - Small Breed
Wednesday February 23 - 5:30pm - Puppies up to 16 weeks
Wednesday February 23 - 6:15pm - Puppies 16-24 weeks
Friday February 25 - 1:30pm - Small Breed
Friday February 25 - 2:15pm - Puppies up to 16 weeks
Friday February 25 - 3:00pm - Puppies 16-24 weeks
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Facility Rentals!
Did you know you can rent our indoor space?
That's right! A nice warm spot to practice skills building, canine conditioning, Rally-o, agility foundations and more!
We have a new page on our website all about the facility. Visit https://www.quintecanine.com/facility for more information or to learn about booking!
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Charger Update
We knew this difficult time would come. But even though we will miss him dearly, we will continue to support him and his new permanent home. That's right, Charger is now ready for adoption. We will miss him more than words can express but we know this next leg of his journey will be what is best for him!
In May of 2020 a simple phone call from a friend hoping I knew someone who would foster a medical needs German Shepherd (wink wink, knowing she was talking about me specifically) for 8-10 weeks changed 2 lives (mine and his). Now, 8 months later, dozens of hours of behaviour modification and training, 5 surgeries, oodles of rehab appointments, hundreds of adventures and many many snuggles, kisses and laughs, Charger is ready.
Some are shocked that I am not adopting him myself and as much as I would love to, Charger needs the absolute perfect home; not just a good one, but the perfect home. And although we feel that we have been a good, maybe even great home for him, we know that the perfect home is out there. If it takes many more months to find that home, we are committed to finding it. Our job has been to help Charger, not only physically heal but also to equip him with the skills needed to live a happy life with humans. Now that he is ready to do that, with the right home, our job is almost complete.
Fostering dogs can be extremely hard, especially emotionally. And I can guarantee there will be crying when he goes to his new home; and not just a shed tear of happiness but we are talking ugly crying from me. Is it worth it? 100% Because without foster homes for dogs (and every time a foster keeps a dog that is one less space to foster) we would live in a very sad world. If you are prepared to foster, I cannot encourage you enough. It has been one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done and the last 8+ months have been transformative for myself and for Charger. So while we prepare to close this one chapter for him (and us) we know the adventure is not over yet. Thank you everyone who has been involved in his journey and supported him throughout.
Here is a copy of his online biography. All adoption applications are being handled by Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward. Please only follow their adoption process, do not call. Please click here for the adoption application: https://quintehumanesociety.com/dogs-2.php
This beautiful boy is an approximately 4-year-old male German Shepherd. He is a goofy, happy and very silly dog who is finally living his best life. He enjoys walks and new adventures but his favorite is physical contact and snuggles from humans he knows and trusts. His personality really comes out of all parts of him but it oozes out of his tail, which is a non-stop wag fest.
Charger came from a background of outdoor living with minimal contact with humans so learning to trust people and live in a home has been a big learning curve or him. He was caught along the 401 after 10 days hiding with a broken leg from being hit on the highway. Over the past 8 months Charger has undergone multiple surgeries and a great deal of behaviour modification to get where he is today. But we are happy to report that he is happy, healthy and ready to find the perfect home.
Charger will do best in a child-free home that has stay-at-home adopters due to some separation anxiety. A fenced home would be ideal but an active adopter would do well as Charger must be kept on leash when not in a secured fenced area.
Charger has been working hard through a separation anxiety behaviour modification program and will be able to continue this once in his new home and settled in. It will take time, patience and understanding from his new home to build his confidence over time. Charger will also need a home with no cats or other small animals due to his high prey drive. Charger is dog tolerant toward dogs who have good manners so the right housemate would be ok for him. His adopters will need an intimate understanding of dog body language and trust building for Charger to succeed and continue to be the best dog he can.
Charger has worked hard to achieve good leash skills, is house trained and knows the very basics of obedience training. His biggest accomplishments have been his overall learning of house manners and we are happy to report he makes a great roommate.
Due to some controlled anxieties, Charger current takes a daily medication that is approx. $50 per month which he will need to continue for the foreseeable future. Ongoing support to Charger will be provided by Yvonne from Quinte Canine (foster home currently).
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Student Brags in January!
Intermediate Trick Dog - Skye, Duke, Gordie, Norman, Frida & Nala
Puppy - Ebony, Emily, Daisy, Murphy & Grover
Puppy - Ripp, Aengus, Bear & Athena
Puppy - Henry, Tacoma & Georgia
Teen Basics - Giorgio, Teddy, Hewson, Kygo & Oliver
Teen Basics - Clover, Roo, Flint & Sadie
Basic Obedience - Zahara, Grady & Elvis
Novice Trick Dog - Tilly, Spencer, Flash, Mabel, Gus & Oswald
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What does a dog get when they finish school?
A pet-degree!
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