Trainer Jazz

Hi , my name is Jazz & i am the founder and trainer of Aristomilago Pawzllywood Academy of DogSports (APawz) . I am also a PA registered and Certified trainer. I am also a breeder of English Sheltland Sheepdog and my kennel is “Aristomilago” (http://aristomilagoshelties.com).

I participate actively in many dog related competitions organised by the Singapore Kennel Club (SKC) and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA).

I had kept golden retriever, jrt, maltese, shelties and border collie but i still in love with shelties and border collie.

My shelties are trainer in Search & Rescue with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), dog dancing, frisbee, obedience, agility, jumper and show conformation.

I started off as a private canine trainer by offering private obedience training and behavior modification to dog owners in Singapore. Till June 2008, i officially launched Athletic Pawzllywood (APW) to offer our services to all dog owner.

On 13 August 2008, i launched our full range of canine services and this marked our anniversary date. 

Significance of our Logo

Tuidell Summer Rose (CoCo), a sable white sheltie, represents the color gold in the logo & obedience training for APawz. Combining the energy of red and the happiness of yellow, the colour gold is associate with joy, happiness, intellignence and energy, just like CoCo. It is also associated with illumination, wisdom and wealth, gold often symbolizes high quality.

Trifold Mascagni, (Prince) with multi local and international titles, represents the colour red in the logo & dog athletics for APawz. Embodying passion and energy, red is often related to sports and intense physical activity, just like what Prince would have done.

Both CoCo & Prince are also our MASCOTS for our school and kennel and the inspiration for one to be involved in all area of dog sports ie obedience , agility, jumper & show conformation.

In Year 2009, APW was renamed as “Aristomilago Pawzllywood Academy of Dogsports”. Apart We also help dog shelters (Noah’s Ark & Gentle Paws) and Gentle Paws & Friends by conducting free obedience training for the volunteers so that chances of rehoming the shelter dogs is are higher.

My experience in dog training and my achievement

Trifold Mascagni, is one of my challenging, the most wild and aggressive shelties. He is one, that most trialers will classifed him as a “pet dog’ instead of “competition dog”. But with bonding and lot of patience, he went for his 1st jumper trial held by SKC in 2007. Since then, he achieved numerous Championships.

Thru years of raising and training dogs, dogs had taught me a lot. They let me know that dog even of the same breed have different characters and to understand them, we have to be very observant and be sensitive to their body language.

In year 2008,. i took the chance to compete in Show Conformation & agility held by SKC and USDAA respectively. Year 2008 was a fruitful year because Trifold Mascagni officially qualified to represent Singapore to compete at the Cynosports World Games, Scottsdale, AZ, USA (Oct 29 – Nov 2, 2008) .

He has attained several Champions in Agility & Jumper in SKC & USDAA trials. We are the 1st Team in Singapore to have been offically awarded with International titles and also local qualifier to compete in Cynosport World Games, USA for Yr 2008 , 2009 and 2010.

For unofficial trials, such as National Day Walk  2008, he won the Mini Fastest Agility Dog and Overall Championship in fastest mini and maxi dog.

Till date i have 2 dogs, Trifold Mascagni and Aristomilago Meteor Fantasy , that have attained Local and International titles. I am proud of all my dogs, they clinched many championships & awards in different trials such as Obedience , agility and show conformation in SKC and USDAA trials.

Upgrading Myself

There will always be new training technique being developed. I am still learning and constantly upgrading myself by reading, attending seminars conducted by overseas trainers (International Judge Mr Toshiyuki Oba , Australia and Canada) and getting tips via email with overseas trainers and trialers.

I love  training/trialing

I love training dog cos it is just like an ART. You need to creative and not just stick to one training style or method.

Not only that, trialing my dogs, to me is like DANCING with them in the ring. I love to them to see them shine insie the ring, at the same time with wagging tail and a happy face.

The life oF a dog is shorter than us, they do not know the significance of a trophy or ribbons , so enjoying the process is our primary target. Winning is a bonus.

My Training Philosophy

Dogs are still an animal, basic obedience training is a must for them because it teaches the dog what is acceptable and what is not acceptable to humans.

A well-trained dog usually indicates a contented pet and a happy owner. It therefore prevents negative dog behavior and incidents of abandoned dogs. A correct tool will produce a focused and driven dog which are serious about their work and more willing to work for and please you.

Training Method

I encourages owners to train their dogs using a positive training method. However acknowleding that different dogs have different character and personalities, i will assess the dog so that the most suitable training method is employed. When correct method is used, you will see amazing result.

This fundamental principle has to be applied somewhat differently from breed to breed and even with the same dog from time to time. To what extent do you reply on “pure” and “free” shaping?  When do you “lure” the dog ? How quickly do you put a behaviour on a variable reinforement schedule? How far do you extend that schedule? When do you “go back to kindergarten? There are questions that will ususally return to my mind. It is important to use the suitable method of training that motivates your dog. 

Due to the above, I adopts the combination training technique of 2Cs (Click’n Connect), 3Ps (Practice, Praise, Patience), Say Please program  and negative reinforcement (collar, verbal). APawz is the 1st training school in Singapore to train dogs using the above, developed by overseas trainers and those make know to public since Aug 2008.

View on Agility

“Where agility and obedience is concerned, or for that matter any dogsports, if you are not having fun, then you are doing it wrong”
-Jazz, founder & trainer of APawz

 

Agility is a sport that appeals to all dog lovers and has a great spectator appeal. Agility is designed to demonstrate a dog’s willingnes to work with it handler. it is an athletic event that requires conditioning, concentration, training and teamwork.

During my training , 1R2Ps (Reward, play and praise) boost the confidence level of the dog and connect increases the dog handling skill of the owner.

In dogsports, harsh punishment is NO NO . If you are frustrated with your dogs performance, please stop the training. As for whether puppies are suitable for agility, i will say “Yes” but please find a professional trainer that had experience in raising puppies.