Iditarod Musher Hugh Neff
By Robert Forto, PhD
On my recent trip to Anchorage I had the pleasure of spending time with 6-time Iditarod musher, Hugh Neff. Hugh and I have developed a friendship over the past year since I invited him to come to Denver and speak to my daughter’s school about the Iditarod, mushing and living in the North.
Hugh and I spoke at length about my desire to run the Iditarod in 21013 and what it will take to get to that goal. I had the pleasure of handling for him at the ceremonial start in Anchorage and helped send him and his team off to Nome. What a great honor.
Hugh Neff is not your ordinary musher. He spends a lot of his time speaking to kids all over North America and stresses the importance of education and family values. In this year’s Iditarod, Hugh is doing something special: he is taking part in the National Education Association-Alaska’s first statewide Read Across Alaska celebration. Hugh is helping promote and celebrate the fun of reading. Hugh is carrying the Cat in the Hat book across Alaska in his sled bag. Once Hugh has crossed the finish line in Nome, he will deliver the book to the children of this small village at the edge of the Earth.
Hugh Neff, 42 was born in Tennessee. He gr up in Illinois and attended Loyola Academy and the University of Illinois. He says he moved to Alaska in 1995 to “run down a dream”. Hugh says, “racing is an excuse to play with our beloved beasts all over the North.
Hugh lists his occupation as dog musher and public speaker. He is a member of Mush with P.R.I.D.E and is an Eagle Scout and says he enjoys “making other people smile.”
If you would like to find our more about Iditarod musher Hugh Neff please visit his website Laughing Eyes Kennel at http://www.laughingeyeskennel.com and follow his race across alaska this year on http://www.adn.com Hugh is wearing bib number 56.
Citation: The Official Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Guide
Tags: Hugh Neff | Iditarod | Team Ineka | Dog Training Denver | Dog Doctor Radio | Denver Dog Works
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Dr. Robert Forto is a professional musher training for his first Iditarod in 2013 racing under the Team Ineka banner. Dr. Robert Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.teamineka.com
Showing posts with label #dogs #dogtraining #forto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #dogs #dogtraining #forto. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Why Denver Dog Works?
Why Denver Dog Works
By Michele Forto
Lately I have been receiving many inquiries regarding what is Denver Dog Works all about. Dr. Forto has written blog article upon blog article about Denver Dog Works. I’d like to give you a different perspective on what Denver Dog Works is all about.
At Denver Dog Works we perform a detailed evaluation and then I design a training plan and a package to suit your goals and expectations. Because not every person is the same and because not every dog learns at the same pace we have developed a proven process to train you and your dog.
We pride ourselves on the value our training will bring to your dog and your family. The trainers here focus on training everyone involved with your dog not just your dog. We want you to develop a training relationship with your dog. We offer board and trains and can do all of the training for you but we always follow up the training we do with teaching you how to handle your dog as well.
During the evaluation process you will be interviewed and asked specific questions relating to your expectations and goals that you would like to achieve with your dog. Your dog’s behavior will be observed and analyzed. We use this information to analyze your dog for any behavior problems and to assess their strengths and weaknesses. A training plan will be developed and if you are in need of behavior modification a treatment plan will be developed and outlined. The goal of Denver Dog Works is to build your relationship and to strengthen your bond with your dog.
There is not a cookie-cutter approach at Denver Dog Works. We consider each client individually and build each program package to suit their needs and their dog’s abilities. Our style in training is based on operant conditioning, observation of behavior and adjusting the training schedule to meet the dog’s optimum learning levels.
Training with your dog should be fun. It should not feel like a chore. An asset of training with Denver Dog Works is participating in the lifetime group class offered once a week. This class gives you the opportunity to keep your training fresh which keeps your dog on his toes. This class is unique to Denver Dog Works. Having a training center gives us the ability to train you and your dog in a multi-faceted way.
Denver Dog Works is a family friendly training center. We encourage you to include your spouse and your children in the training. Few trainers will allow this. Why would we encourage this type of training? To strengthen the bond between the dog and all family members, not just the person doing the training, we believe the dog should see all humans in the household as its leaders not just one person. Michele works with children as young as two and develops training plans with toddlers and infants to teach the dog boundaries. Toddlers to school aged children learn dog rules and boundaries and a few basic obedience commands.
If you are interested in learning more about Denver Dog Works please visit our website at http://www.denverdogworks.com or give us a call at 303-578-9881.
_______________________
Michele Forto is a certified canine trainer and the business manager at Denver Dog Works. Michele can be reached through her website at http://wwww.denverdogworks.com
By Michele Forto
Lately I have been receiving many inquiries regarding what is Denver Dog Works all about. Dr. Forto has written blog article upon blog article about Denver Dog Works. I’d like to give you a different perspective on what Denver Dog Works is all about.
At Denver Dog Works we perform a detailed evaluation and then I design a training plan and a package to suit your goals and expectations. Because not every person is the same and because not every dog learns at the same pace we have developed a proven process to train you and your dog.
We pride ourselves on the value our training will bring to your dog and your family. The trainers here focus on training everyone involved with your dog not just your dog. We want you to develop a training relationship with your dog. We offer board and trains and can do all of the training for you but we always follow up the training we do with teaching you how to handle your dog as well.
During the evaluation process you will be interviewed and asked specific questions relating to your expectations and goals that you would like to achieve with your dog. Your dog’s behavior will be observed and analyzed. We use this information to analyze your dog for any behavior problems and to assess their strengths and weaknesses. A training plan will be developed and if you are in need of behavior modification a treatment plan will be developed and outlined. The goal of Denver Dog Works is to build your relationship and to strengthen your bond with your dog.
There is not a cookie-cutter approach at Denver Dog Works. We consider each client individually and build each program package to suit their needs and their dog’s abilities. Our style in training is based on operant conditioning, observation of behavior and adjusting the training schedule to meet the dog’s optimum learning levels.
Training with your dog should be fun. It should not feel like a chore. An asset of training with Denver Dog Works is participating in the lifetime group class offered once a week. This class gives you the opportunity to keep your training fresh which keeps your dog on his toes. This class is unique to Denver Dog Works. Having a training center gives us the ability to train you and your dog in a multi-faceted way.
Denver Dog Works is a family friendly training center. We encourage you to include your spouse and your children in the training. Few trainers will allow this. Why would we encourage this type of training? To strengthen the bond between the dog and all family members, not just the person doing the training, we believe the dog should see all humans in the household as its leaders not just one person. Michele works with children as young as two and develops training plans with toddlers and infants to teach the dog boundaries. Toddlers to school aged children learn dog rules and boundaries and a few basic obedience commands.
If you are interested in learning more about Denver Dog Works please visit our website at http://www.denverdogworks.com or give us a call at 303-578-9881.
_______________________
Michele Forto is a certified canine trainer and the business manager at Denver Dog Works. Michele can be reached through her website at http://wwww.denverdogworks.com
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Who Are You? Junior Trainer, Nicole Forto
Who Are You, Anyway? Junior Trainer, Nicole Forto
By Robert Forto, PhD
We are members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and they have one of the best dog training journals around, especially for us in the canine training industry, The APDT Chronicle of the Dog. Each month in their highly acclaimed magazine, they have a member profile edited by Nicole Wilde. While we haven't been privy to be showcased in this column yet, I thought it would be appropriate to showcase each one of our trainers over the next few weeks so that you can get to know us and what we are about.
This week I will be interviewing junior trainer, my daughter and the Dog Doctor Junior, Nicole Forto.
Lets get to know junior trainer, Nicole Forto,
Business Name: Denver Dog Works
Location: Denver, Colorado
Phone: 303-578-9881
Email: nicole@denverdogworks.com
Website: www.denverdogworks.com
Years working with dogs: I’ve worked with dogs since I was two years old. When I was two we had 36 Siberian Huskies.
Personal Training Philosophy: My training philosophy is positive but not treats there are negative parts but I think when a dog isn’t doing one thing change to something you know they can do and go back to that command later.
Nicole, how did you become interested in working with dogs?
I became interested in dogs from my parents I’ve always wanted to help dogs thats why I want to go to CSU and get a degree in Animal Science and then to Vet school.
Have you received any training as a dog trainer?
Yes, my parents have always helped me with my dog Qyain, Qyain is 2 years old and I’ve completed him in basic obedience, Canine Good Citizen, also Level 1 in protection and that is all thanks to my parents they’ve giving me advice on all of these things and how to improve my techniques.
Would you explain what it is like as a day in the life as a junior dog trainer at Denver Dog Works?
A typical day for me at Denver Dog Works starts by me and my mom feeding and pottying all the dogs then we take them on a fifteen minute walk then to groups of two training then we do socialization after this which takes just about an hour we begin our classes for the day.
What breeds have you worked with so far?
I’ve worked with all sorts of breeds from Akbash to Klee Kai’s. The difference you may not be able to understand by the name but an Akbash is pretty much a dog near the size of a horse very much like a great dane just bigger and furrier. Now a Klee Kai is pretty much a Siberian Husky decreased in size by a lot. Now I’ve worked with Labs, Labradoodles, Rottweiler, German Shepherds, Yorkshire Terriers. But, the main breed I’ve always worked with is Siberian Huskies and don’t get me wrong I love siberian huskies but my favorite breed is a Rottweiler.
How has your involvement with dogs changed your life?
The involvement has changed my life because by the time I get to CSU I will have a greater knowledge then most people in how to work with dogs because I’ve already completed dog CPR twice now so its giving me an advantage for my future.
So what’s next on your agenda?
Next on my agenda for my life is I’m going to be starting lacrosse and hopefully this summer I will be able to go and see CSU and for my birthday I’ll hopefully be going to the Mayhem festival and seeing two of my favorite artists Korn and Rob Zombie. In the dog world I will be helping my dad prepare his team for the Iditarod in 2013.
Do you have any advice for other young men and women who might be interested in learning more about training dogs?
Yes, say you should really get into it but I would say what you do isn’t worth doing unless you enjoy what your doing.
What would you say are the top three things you have learned with working around dogs?
The top three things I’ve learned is one always be cautious. I mean the sweetest dog can actually be the dangerous; two as long as your mood is calm and your collected most often the dog will read off of your energy and he or she will be calm and not anxious; three always have fun!!!!
What was your scariest moment with a dog?
When my moms dog Gina who is aggressive tried to attack another dog and I pulled her off and I was scraped pretty badly by her canine tooth. It definitely made me think a lot differently about aggressive dogs.
Are you involved in any dog sports or activities?
At the moment no but soon I will be helping my dad with getting his dog team together for the Iditarod in 2013.
What do you do when you are not training dogs or working at Denver Dog Works?
I do school or sports right now I’m getting ready to start lacrosse and in August I’ll be doing my 6th year of softball.
I hear you are a frequent guest on The Dog Doctor Radio Show, tell us what that is like?
The Dog Doctor Radio show is actually not what you would think of you would think. Its scary being on the radio with hundreds of people listing it really isn’t that bad.
Nicole, thanks so much for taking the time to visit with us, We are sure you will have a long career in anything you choose to accomplish.
Thank you so much for having me.
_________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training Director for Dog Works Training Centers and the host of a weekly radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show that can be heard every Saturday at 9:30 am in the Rocky Mountain West and downloaded anytime. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
By Robert Forto, PhD
We are members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and they have one of the best dog training journals around, especially for us in the canine training industry, The APDT Chronicle of the Dog. Each month in their highly acclaimed magazine, they have a member profile edited by Nicole Wilde. While we haven't been privy to be showcased in this column yet, I thought it would be appropriate to showcase each one of our trainers over the next few weeks so that you can get to know us and what we are about.
This week I will be interviewing junior trainer, my daughter and the Dog Doctor Junior, Nicole Forto.
Lets get to know junior trainer, Nicole Forto,
Business Name: Denver Dog Works
Location: Denver, Colorado
Phone: 303-578-9881
Email: nicole@denverdogworks.com
Website: www.denverdogworks.com
Years working with dogs: I’ve worked with dogs since I was two years old. When I was two we had 36 Siberian Huskies.
Personal Training Philosophy: My training philosophy is positive but not treats there are negative parts but I think when a dog isn’t doing one thing change to something you know they can do and go back to that command later.
Nicole, how did you become interested in working with dogs?
I became interested in dogs from my parents I’ve always wanted to help dogs thats why I want to go to CSU and get a degree in Animal Science and then to Vet school.
Have you received any training as a dog trainer?
Yes, my parents have always helped me with my dog Qyain, Qyain is 2 years old and I’ve completed him in basic obedience, Canine Good Citizen, also Level 1 in protection and that is all thanks to my parents they’ve giving me advice on all of these things and how to improve my techniques.
Would you explain what it is like as a day in the life as a junior dog trainer at Denver Dog Works?
A typical day for me at Denver Dog Works starts by me and my mom feeding and pottying all the dogs then we take them on a fifteen minute walk then to groups of two training then we do socialization after this which takes just about an hour we begin our classes for the day.
What breeds have you worked with so far?
I’ve worked with all sorts of breeds from Akbash to Klee Kai’s. The difference you may not be able to understand by the name but an Akbash is pretty much a dog near the size of a horse very much like a great dane just bigger and furrier. Now a Klee Kai is pretty much a Siberian Husky decreased in size by a lot. Now I’ve worked with Labs, Labradoodles, Rottweiler, German Shepherds, Yorkshire Terriers. But, the main breed I’ve always worked with is Siberian Huskies and don’t get me wrong I love siberian huskies but my favorite breed is a Rottweiler.
How has your involvement with dogs changed your life?
The involvement has changed my life because by the time I get to CSU I will have a greater knowledge then most people in how to work with dogs because I’ve already completed dog CPR twice now so its giving me an advantage for my future.
So what’s next on your agenda?
Next on my agenda for my life is I’m going to be starting lacrosse and hopefully this summer I will be able to go and see CSU and for my birthday I’ll hopefully be going to the Mayhem festival and seeing two of my favorite artists Korn and Rob Zombie. In the dog world I will be helping my dad prepare his team for the Iditarod in 2013.
Do you have any advice for other young men and women who might be interested in learning more about training dogs?
Yes, say you should really get into it but I would say what you do isn’t worth doing unless you enjoy what your doing.
What would you say are the top three things you have learned with working around dogs?
The top three things I’ve learned is one always be cautious. I mean the sweetest dog can actually be the dangerous; two as long as your mood is calm and your collected most often the dog will read off of your energy and he or she will be calm and not anxious; three always have fun!!!!
What was your scariest moment with a dog?
When my moms dog Gina who is aggressive tried to attack another dog and I pulled her off and I was scraped pretty badly by her canine tooth. It definitely made me think a lot differently about aggressive dogs.
Are you involved in any dog sports or activities?
At the moment no but soon I will be helping my dad with getting his dog team together for the Iditarod in 2013.
What do you do when you are not training dogs or working at Denver Dog Works?
I do school or sports right now I’m getting ready to start lacrosse and in August I’ll be doing my 6th year of softball.
I hear you are a frequent guest on The Dog Doctor Radio Show, tell us what that is like?
The Dog Doctor Radio show is actually not what you would think of you would think. Its scary being on the radio with hundreds of people listing it really isn’t that bad.
Nicole, thanks so much for taking the time to visit with us, We are sure you will have a long career in anything you choose to accomplish.
Thank you so much for having me.
_________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training Director for Dog Works Training Centers and the host of a weekly radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show that can be heard every Saturday at 9:30 am in the Rocky Mountain West and downloaded anytime. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
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