Leaping Forward, Looking Back
Goodbye 2022! Hello 2023! The last almost-three years have been a bit of a wild ride. As 2022 drew to an end, I began to feel a hint of “normalcy” returning and that feels promising! While we’re still on the cusp of new year and old, I thought I’d take a look back at 2022. Here’s my list of what was noteworthy at The Canine Connection in 2022.
1. NEW TRAINING ACADEMY CENTER!
In 2022, we opened a new, additional center, dedicated to the force-free, positive training approach that has always defined us. Our new center is located at 1188 East Lassen in north Chico.
Why a new place just for training? It’s not that we don’t love the amazing center we created at 10 Seville Court in south Chico (we purchased that property in May 2010 and have turned it into a dream resort for dogs). It’s just that daycare and boarding became so busy that it was difficult to fit our training program in around it!
Now that our training program has its own, dedicated space, we can schedule classes, lessons, and seminars at many more times throughout the day and week. So stay tuned… from Puppy Social to FUNgility, the center we created in 2022 is going to bring a host of fun and beneficial opportunities in 2023.
Click HERE to find out more about our expanded training program!
2. MORE PROPERTY AT OUR SEVILLE RESORT!
In 2022, we saw the completion of the Comanche Creek path that’s located behind our Seville resort. With that path completed, we were able to purchase (finally!) a strip of land that runs between our property and the new path, a strip that the city had designated as “surplus.” With this purchase completed, we can now plan for some new, creative uses of our play yards and other aspects of our resort.
But where to start?? We’ll be holding focus groups with the daycare and boarding dogs to find out what amenities they value most! I suspect “more squirrels” may be on the list.
3. SENSORY AND ENRICHMENT TRAIL!
We did a thing! We built this super cool sensory and enrichment trail along the north side of our Seville resort! Since we don’t want a single square foot of space to go to waste, we took this 100’ strip and created an amazing path where dogs can explore and experience different scents, textures, and obstacles. We’ll be putting this trail to more use in 2023 as we launch an expanded enrichment program for our daycare and boarding guests. Stay tuned for more about that! Gonna be amazing!
4. WALK WOOF WAG FUNDRAISER!
We helped with Walk Woof Wag, the annual fundraiser for Chico Animal Shelter that we co-founded 9 years ago. While we’ve stepped away from being the main organizer of this annual event, we continue to be a lead sponsor and supporter.
I’m very proud to say that, since the event’s inception, we’ve raised close to $100,000 for Chico Animal Shelter’s medical fund!
Click HERE to find out more about Walk Woof Wag. It’s not too early to think about becoming a sponsor!
5. WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO SOME DEAR FRIENDS
Sadly, in 2022, we mourned the loss of some very dear dog friends. Every dog who walks through our door is a part of our family and story and so we profoundly feel the loss when they pass away. I’m sure I’ve left some names off the list - and apologize for that - but among those we remember are Mila, Karter, Brillo, Toby, Kanto, Luca, Kai, Drogba, Harper, Mowgli, Dezzie, Riley, Lillie, Carl, Quinn, Cam, Chuck, Indy, and Solo. Two feline members of our therapy pet group passed away, Herbie and Mitch. We thank these amazing souls, and their families, for being part of our world. I know my dog Rhodie, who was my dearest friend and assistant, has welcomed them to Rainbow Bridge and shown them all the best spots.
6. WE CHANGED CHEETO’S LIFE!
Our dedication to fostering dogs continues to make a difference. We tend to foster those dogs with more demanding behavior problems, those who need extensive time, space, patience, and a positive behavior program to be set up for success with a forever family.
Cheeto, a greyhound with a rather significant rap sheet, is such a dog. He came to us in February 2022, rather anxious, edgy, and suspicious of the world around him. I’m happy to say that he is now relaxed, playful, happy, and will soon be ready for his forever home.
It fills our cup to be able to help dogs who need some special care and then our cup overflows when we find their new forever families who love these dogs as much as we do.
On that note, for those who enjoy updates about Annie Bear, another longtime foster… this giant German Shepherd princess is thriving in her new home. We enjoy our visits with her and her wonderful family who have become our dear friends.
Oh, and don’t forget… you could foster and change a life too!
Cheeto is being fostered through Greyhounds Friends for Life. Check them out if you think you might like a fast friend!
7. THREE TEAM MEMBERS GRADUATED!
Two of our longtime employees graduated from Chico State! Ally (left), who has worked in our training division for 6 years, graduated in Agricultural Business. And Jenny, (right) who has worked in our dog care division (daycare & boarding) for 5 years, graduated in Animal Science. Also, Reed (center), who has worked with us summers while in college and, with his family, been a client since he was practically a baby, graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a double major in Environmental Studies and Studio Arts. He is helping us full-time now in administration and client care. These young people are - and have been - tremendously important to our team. I’m super proud that they juggled being great employees and great students. I suspect they’re feeling the tug to explore new horizons but I’m hoping I can keep them on our team forever.
8. KEVIN CAME HOME!
In 2022, we welcomed back a longtime friend and Canine Connection team member, Kevin Swanberg! This talented guy worked for The Canine Connection from 2010-2012, while a student at Chico State. He then moved to the Bay Area but returned to Chico last year with his new baby and bride. Kevin is now overseeing our Seville resort operations with creativity, competence, professionalism, and optimism. We are privileged to have Kevin back at what he describes as “the best job he’s ever had.”
And fun fact… he not only builds amazing things - objects, spaces and teams - but he also makes GREAT beef jerky!
Another fun fact… his adorable mini Aussie, Arlo, is also on our team. Fortunately, Arlo works for treats.
9 WE WELCOMED NANCY BACK!
Nancy Kerns, is an amazing teacher, trainer, and friend. And, she is the longtime (25+ years!) editor of the renowned Whole Dog Journal, a leading source of information about positive dog training, nutrition, health, and wellness. Nancy also has extensive experience with puppy and adolescent dogs, having fostered over 100 puppies for NW SPCA in Oroville and then providing training assistance to many of their new families once they were adopted.
Over the years, Nancy has popped in now and then to teach a class or two for us. But in 2022, she decided she wanted to be on board even more. So how thrilled was I when Nancy offered to take the lead with our “Continuing Ed” training program? Answer: VERY, VERY THRILLED. Nancy is helping dogs and their people really push their basic training to a higher, more joyful level. And she does this with empathy, enthusiasm, and energy!
10. RENEWED CERTIFICATIONS!
As I have done every three years since the early 2000s, I renewed my training and behavior certifications in 2022. This required many hours of continuing education. Fortunately, in 2022, after almost three years of attending seminars and conferences online, I returned to meeting and learning with my colleagues in person!
As I worked to renew my certifications, I realized that I’ve been at this a long time! Way back in 2002, I became one of the first Certified Professional Dog Trainers in the nation, recognized using objective criteria and testing. This certification was created to begin professionalizing the dog training field. A couple of years later, I became one of the first Certified Dog Behavior Consultants, again using objective criteria and testing.
Is all this certification necessary? Sadly, no. Unbeknownst to many, the field of dog training and behavior is completely unregulated. There are no required standards of competency and experience. It’s a “buyer beware” world for those seeking help with their dogs as anyone can claim to be a dog trainer. My goal has always been to be on the leading edge of science and reward-based training for the sake of the clients and dogs we serve through The Canine Connection. I renewed that commitment in 2022.
SO THAT’S A WRAP!
Last year was challenging, rewarding, tiring, invigorating, happy, and sad. There was so much to celebrate, so much for which to be thankful. At The Canine Connection, we’re moving into the New Year with fresh ideas and plans for dogs and the people who love them. We’re turning 21 years old, beginning our 22nd year of service, and in our third decade. Thank you to all of you, and all your dogs, for being part of our story. Here’s to the next chapter! Here’s to 2023! Here’s to a very Happy New Year!
