The Canine Cabaret
By Brigitte Schorn,
2. June 2011
For the past 6 weeks the A1-K9 Demo Team is busy training for our performance at this years Cork Summer show in Ballincollig.
There is great excitement and anticipation amongst us, when we are preparing for a new show. Finally all the hours of advanced obedience/agility training over the cold winter months
are paying off.
Martin has choreographed a new synchronised obedience routine, an agility display and a Solo routine – all to Music.
The result is the Canine Cabaret, a first of it’s kind and a testimony to our pioneering and successful approach to dog ownership.
We are delighted to be sponsored by Belcando, a top class German Dog food Company who shares our holistic approach to Dog welfare.
Having already received expressions of interest in our performance, we are thrilled at the prospect of taking the Canine Cabaret across Ireland and indeed abroad.
The Canine Cabaret promises entertainment for everybody.
CorkSummer_show_2011.pdf
What a Team!
by Brigitte Schorn
25. June 2010
As a new and unique East Cork Business, the proprietors Martin Noonan and Brigitte Schorn of A1-K9 Boarding Kennels and Training Centre were asked to participate and entertain visitors at last years first Medieval Festival in Carrigtwohill.
It was there that Trish Murphy saw Dog trainer Martin Noonan perform an obedience routine with his German Shepherd Dog Dex. Trish was so impressed that she decided to sign up for training sessions with her two dogs Minnie and Misty. Both dogs had “serious issues” and Trish found them very difficult to manage in public.
One year on and Trish and Minnie are two of the brightest stars performing with Martin at this years Medieval Festival on the 3rd and 4th of July.
As one of the participating main sponsors of the event, the A1-K9 team together with several of their club members and their different breeds of dogs will be demonstrating what professional dog training is all about.
The dedication and determination of all involved deserves a mention and their dogs are a credit to them.
Martin Noonan has spent a great deal of time and effort, especially in the weeks leading up to the festival, to put together a performance, that can only be described as a very special treat.
The A1-K9 Demonstration can be seen on both days between 2pm and 3.30pm. Information will be available at the A1-K9 stand.
A Dog’s Life
by Brigitte Schorn
4. January 2010
All to often we hear and read about dogs and their owners for all the wrong reasons. The countless responsible and caring dog owners and their well-behaved and good dogs hardly ever get a mention.
This news section is dedicated to all those great dog owners who are willing to do whatever it takes, to give their dogs a good life – a dog’s life – literally.
Since we opened our business A1-K9 Boarding Kennels & Training Centre, our life has changed for the better. Minding and training dogs is just a fabulous job. I have always been an early riser, but nowadays I beat the alarm clock every morning. Our first job is walking the dogs in the beautiful surrounding countryside, breathing in fresh air, listening to the birdsong and watching the sunrise. What a fantastic start to the day! Of course there are the rainy days, but all that rain makes us appreciate the sun even more.
Dealing with the many caring dog owners that come through our doors is a real pleasure. Our common love for dogs seems to break down barriers so easily.
Many potential customers do their research by Internet and visit several kennels before booking their dog in. We are delighted when people ask questions regarding food, bedding, walking routine and we encourage all potential customers to come and visit before making a decision.
There is no question about it – the great majority of dog owner’s that we meet, care greatly about their dogs. How often do we hear “please take good care of our dog, we love him like a child.”
For us as kennel owners and dog trainers, not a week goes by without challenge and achievement, not a day without laughter and joy. However, every job has its downside and ours is no exception. The hardest part of the job is dealing with the consequences of owners “killing their dogs with love and kindness” – literally.
Judging by our experience over the past year, we suspect, that the most common cause of death in young dogs is euthanasia, because of behaviour problems.
Several Vets, Kennel owners and other professionals in the field have confirmed our suspicion.
I vividly remember Sammy. His distraught owner rang one evening to ask if we could take his ‘savage dog’ in to our kennels for the weekend. He wanted to know if the dog was salvageable before deciding to get him put to sleep. He went on to explain that his 15-week-old Cairn Terrier pup was so aggressive that both his wife and him were no longer able to cope with him.
I must admit that we did not really believe him; in all fairness, how bad can a little puppy be? We assessed Sammy and worked with him for 3 days; his aggressive behaviour was exceptional and truly frightening. No wonder, his owners were at the end of their tether.
Like so many dog owners, Sammy’s owners set out with the best of intentions but by loving and treating the dog like a child, they had created a little monster. Luckily for Sammy, his owners were willing to learn to train him and with Martins help Sammy has changed.
Both in the kennels and in our training classes we meet people from all walks of life. Apart from their love for their dogs they all share a common desire for information and advise on how to train and treat their dogs properly.
In my birth country Germany dog owners have a choice of good dog magazines and there are various TV programmes dedicated to give expert advise on dogs and other family pets.
Here in Ireland we would all benefit from more information and I am delighted that Ann Kingston and her team have just re-launched “ The Irish Dog Journal”, currently available in Eason’s. It can also be ordered directly from www.irishdogjournal.com or by phoning 05991 51784.
We at A1-K9 would like to write about our work in “The Irish Dog Journal” and right now we are looking for a sponsor who will finance our contribution.
In the meantime we will regularly update this section and hope that our advice and tips will reach and help people.
