Happy endings

This time I have happy news to share. Here is Diamond and some of his new family members. Diamond was the second dog we put through the K-9 Corrections program. He is a border collie that had lived most of his life on the end of a chain. Walking him was like flying a kite! He had so much untapped energy to burn. He learned the basics plus alot of cute tricks. He is super smart and working with him was a heck of alot of fun. We had a hard time finding just the right home for him and his energy level. As you can see by the happy faces it all paid off with a super successful adoption. Yay for Diamond!!

A Message from Jet the Border Collie

Jet has used her wiley charms to score a pillow for her comfort while away for training with Scott and Jenny Glen. In this photo, she is telling me that I had better find something just as nice for her because she will have very high expectations when she comes home!

Jet was born with a big white "V" on her forehead. You can still see it in this photo! I spent a week trying to think up "v" - names, but after watching her dart around at high speed, Jet was the perfect name and stuck right away.

Jet doesn't know that she will be coming home to find out she has a new brother...although she will be meeting him at Scott Glen's Sheep Camp in Michigan this spring. That sheep camp if full, but there are other clinics listed on the Alta-Pete website (link in the sidebar menu). I am so looking forward to seeing Jet this spring - by the time I see her she will have been in a few trials with more experience than me! Ted and I will start to get our act together as soon as this snow melts and we can get to training seriously.

Jet is a working girl when she's not on her pillow, so she earns this comfort most days...

Myna the tree-climbing Australian Shepherd!

I just had to put this on my blog when I received it from my friend Ellie. This is her Aussie Myna climbing a tree!! Myna is a Tucker Creek Aussie (see link in the sidebar menu), related to new TCH "Jasper" and Penny TDX (and multiple other titles) owned by Karen Boyes. These are working aussies and very driven, as you can see. Myna did some goose patrol work last year, and is also a beginner tracking dog. If you are interested in tracking with Australian Shepherds, please check the sidebar menu and click on tracking test results, for more information about Karen's achievements with Jasper and Penny, and Margaret's TD with Drake in 2008!!

Ellie writes:

"Myna is very birdy!! She takes off from the deck and gets a running start at the tree, and starts to climb....She's pretty funny........I guess she thinks she can scare the birds away, and squirrels too:-) I've seen her climb higher, but she only went this far tonight when I caught her with the camera...

Thanks Ellie, for sharing this great photo and story!

Mystery Man visits dad Diesel SchH I, AD

What a face! He looks like a thinker...

Here is the mystery man again, with his sisters and brothers - visiting with their pop - "Diesel vom Schulmeister, SchH I, AD."

For more information on Mystery Man, visit Kleinen Wiese German Shepherds at http://www.kleinenwiese.com/HerdingGermanShepherdsOfKleinenWiese.asp

1 day and 12 hours to go...

A dog named Worf

I've been talking alot about pitbulls this week for various reasons. Whenever that happens I find myself thinking of Worf, a pit that stole my heart. This is his story as I remember it. Reader alert, not all stories have a happy ending.

He was a beautiful red pitbull that needed a home. I don't remember all the details, like how he came to be at our shelter, just that he was there and had been for a long time, waiting. This was about 9 years ago and I had started working at the shelter part time. Back then I didn't know as much about dog behavior, just what I had picked up from my years of owning akitas.

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I had been warned about going into his kennel because he liked to grab arms and sleeves in his mouth and pull you around. No one knew how to get him to stop, but they recognised he wasn't trying to hurt anyone. "Wear a coat" was the advice I was given. The first time I entered the kennel to take him out into the play yard he grabbed me and started tugging. I admit it scared me, more than a little. "Holy crap, a pitbull is yanking me around!" He was very strong.

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After I realized he was just playing and got him out where he needed to be, I noticed just how beautiful he was. He was a deep red color with a large blocky head. His eyes were a light brown and matched his coat almost to closely. He wasn't small, probably about 70lbs of solid muscle. He moved like electricity through water, fast, fluid and intense.

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I knew we had to find a way to stop his inappropriate play. A rough playing pitbull was just to intimidating for people to consider adopting, and it was getting hard on the staffs wardrobe. We came up with the idea of taking toys into his kennel to stick in his mouth to redirect him. It worked like a charm. He stopped looking for arms and sleeves and started playing with balls and tug toys.

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I remember him as a quiet dog, rarely barking in his kennel. Ignoring other dogs as they passed by on their way outside. He had been there for a long time, more than a year when I began there. There was little interest in him, or interest by people that were turned away for being inappropriate matches. It was a different time then. In our defense, we didn't know what we know now.

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I began my training apprenticeship and took him with me to some of the group classes I was required to attend. He did fabulous. He learned quickly and was very attentive. I worked him wearing just a regular slip collar. He ignored all the other dogs in the class and I believe won over some of the other owners in the class to the breed. I was well on my way to falling in love with him. We was sweet and loved attention from anyone. He was what we called a "people slut" whos tail never stopped wagging.

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I don't remember if he was allowed to play with other dogs in the play yard. We didn't use play groups or pairs back then like they do there today. I do remember an incident where the shelter manager (at the time) had one of her dogs get loose, a doberman, and charged Worf when I had him out for a walk. Worf just stopped and waited for the dog to get to him, they sniffed noses and the dobie walked off. I remember being grateful there hadn't been a fight. I also remember being proud of Worf for it. "Good boy!"

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Adopting him myself just wasn't an option. I had cats at home, and a male akita at the time that was not tolerant of other male dogs. Worf's brief known past had him labeled as a cat killer. The situation wasn't a good match for all involved.

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One day a woman came and took him home. She lived alone in the woods and had been looking for a companion. Joy!!! Progress reports were good. Then I came in one day and he had been returned. "What happened?" I asked. This is the story I got back:

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One day the woman got an oil delivery and Worf ran out to say hello to the oil man. (He was allowed to run off leash in the yard because he didn't run off.) Happy wags, tail in gear, man pats dog, all is good. "What a great dog, he's beautiful." he says. "Thanks" says the woman "He's my new dog from the shelter." "What kind of dog is he?" asks the oil man. "They said he was a pitbull" replies the woman. "Oh I would never own a pitbull" says the man and pulls away from the dog.

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The woman was sad about how others would perceive her dog as being a "bad breed" and decided she didn't want to live with that, so she brought him back. Not because of his behavior, but because of how he looked to others. I felt ill.

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Worf doesn't seem to mind being back at first but then begins changing. He begins barking at the other dogs. He seems more fustrated in his kennel. He hurts a dog in the kennel next to him, badly. Meetings are held. What are we going to do with this dog?

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I called a pitbull rescue. "If he has killed a cat and hurt another dog we can't take him either. The liability for us as a group is to great. There are to many pits without issues filling our rescue group already. We have no space. I am sorry."

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The decision is made. Worf will be euthanised. We have no choices. I have no choices. I can't bring myself to take him to the vet. Someone else does. He is gone. No more playing ball in the yard, no more rubbing his soft ear leather between my fingers, no more smelling his big goofy head as I kiss it. He is gone. My heart, my heart. I loved him. I just couldn't save him.

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I keep his photo on my wall because though he was never adopted, he is claimed. I claim him and will look for him at the bridge one day. He is mine. It is also a reminder. A reminder that ignorance kills. What we didn't know as a shelter, as a student trainer, as ignorant of so many things, killed this beautiful boy. I will not let it happen again. I cannot. The price on my heart is to high.

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What could we have done different? Now I have some answers. Now we have some answers. Environmental enrichment, foster homes, health testing, diet changes, medication options, knowing more about breed traits, not being so judgemental of potential adopters. What we did not know then will not kill another dog now. This is why education is so important. For all the Worf's out there. There are many, and to many are dying because of ignorance and fear. We cannot forget the lessons we learned. We cannot forget what he taught us with his death.

So now he stands upon my wall, along with my others who have passed before us, a happy slice of time forever frozen and kept. His tail still wagging. He will be forever in my heart, I have promised him. He is mine and he was a pitbull.

There will be a test

Todays post contribution link was sent to me by Noah, a local shelter volunteer. I've seen other versions before but I love this set up.

Can YOU pass the test?

http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v4.swf

Thanks Noah.

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Now how about we all pass it on for the sake of ALL dogs. Because if you think BSL will stop with pits and other already targeted breeds, you are sadly mistaken. I think the following sums it up quite well.

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~Why you must stay and fight~

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"When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent;

I was not a communist.

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When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent;

I was not a social democrat.

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When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out;

I was not a trade unionist.

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When they came for the Jews, I remained silent;

I wasn't a Jew.

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When they came for me,

there was no one left to speak out."

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~Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)

A bully stick warning from Pooka

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. I really appreciate it. Today I am feeling a little better on the eye front. (so far) I only want to gouge them out sporadicly instead of continually now. Of course now my throat is starting to hurt and DD is home with Strep. What are the odds I can avoid that particular bullet? I swear some weeks the good news doesn't end.

From Nanook and Pooka the Newfies Blog a bully stick warning:

http://nanookthenewfy.blogspot.com/2008/03/free-range-dog-chews-12-bully-warning.html

A photo of the hook found IN the bully stick.

Be sure to check out the rest of their blog too. Nanook and Pooka are Beeuuuutiful dogs with lots of great photos to share. http://www.nanookthenewfy.blogspot.com/ ** Alert ~ It is photo heavy so may take some time to upload. (or is that download? I am not very computer savey.) It is well worth the wait though so be patient.

Mystery Man with a Woolly friend

It's the mystery man again, this time with a wooly friend...hey, who is bigger?!

6 more days...stay tuned!

River and Ted - tracking journal and maps

Last week I applied for a Passport (finally) and like a good tracker, I scouted the area for an urban track. It lacks enough veg for a test, but thought it would be a great place to train on lots of non-veg. Since it was a federal government holiday today, the parking lots were nearly empty. I laid a track for River that was nearly 500 metres with LOTS of articles - gloves, cloth, plastic, metal and wood. While it was aging, I laid a track for Ted at the College and made it harder than anything he has done all winter.

I went back to run River' track and she was primed to get going (in drive!). I carried water today for the first time in awhile as it was so warm I wasn't wearing a jacket and had no gloves.

River literally ran parts of her track, often with her head up. She overshot one corner, and to my shame, it was to head to a leg well beyond a corner, where I had come back to close the box. Clearly she knew there was track over there (you can see it in the map above).

This brings me back again to parallel legs and plotting in urban tracking. I am starting to really question doubling back on your own track to make a box in urban settings. I held my ground and she gave up easily, and then found the corner and a plastic article. At the next article, a woman pulled up in a car to chat about her German Shepherd and ask about tracking classes - I tried to be polite but then begged my leave of her because poor River was trying to keep going!

There was enough veg for her to touch down on the scent and remotivate. The dead grass is mostly apparent now in town, where snow is melting. She turned and completed the last half of her track at a trot, only dipping her nose from time to time. I am sure that even though a building presents its own challenges, it does act as a barrier between parallel legs whereas in open parking lots, the scent seems to spread.

I was so proud of her confidence today! As I type this note, she is sleeping at my feet. Usually she hangs out on the bed, but after we track, she usually feels a bit more mushy and wants to be close to me.


After that, I ran Ted's track. It had three articles and was 350 metres, but a good portion of it was on mud and at the edges of a parking lot. The first turn was at the top of a hill and after turning in a circle, he was very sure of the direction. He turned again nicely towards a parking lot. I would have gone into the lot but it was full of cars using the College athletic facility, so I walked along the edge of the lot half on asphalt and half on dirt. Ted stood for a moment thinking it through, then suddenly dove down the leg.

Once Ted reached the third turn, he was quite torn about taking the leg or crossing the road. I had to hold my ground and finally he chose the leg. It turned to cross the road and once reaching the other side, Ted's head was high and he was on a mission. I realized, by how he was tracking, that he had winded the final glove from well back and was just trying to get there. We had a tremendous play session afterwards.

I am looking forward to getting him back to the fields to prep for his TD attempt in May!

I spy with my little eye

something that is pink, and gooey, and itchy. Oh wait that is MY eye! My pinkeye. And when the feeling of wanting to gouge one eye out isn't enough fun, it travels to the other eye as well. Oh the joy! I know what you're thinking, WHY am I touching the computer! No worries. Steps are being taken. Germs were killed before I touched it and germs will be killed when I am finished. Thanks to hand sanitizer and clorox wipes I am a regular germ assassin today. Please send healing vibes my way for saturday. I do NOT want to miss out on the seminar!

Because I am down for the count I have other blog fare to share for todays post. First I have a beautiful photo of Boomer. This handsome boy is a local drug dog I have had the pleasure of working with. I admit I have a soft spot for working dogs. I so love to watch dogs enjoying what they are good at.

Check out this interesting and educational post about Jon Katz and his border collies from the Lassie Get Help blog: http://lassiegethelp.blogspot.com/search/label/staggering%20ignorance Be sure to read the comments for more discussion as well.

And more on the same topic from Pet Connections blog: http://www.petconnection.com/blog/category/books/

Then a thought provoking post from Dolittler on basket muzzles: http://www.dolittler.com/index.cfm/2008/3/19/pet.vet.dog.cat.veterinary.veterinarian.cage.muzzle

To finish up, a shared photo from a pug rescue friend of her beloved crew. I hope everyone had a great holiday.

P.S. An open letter to those who like to post in my comment field with a link to something they are selling. Knock it off. Sneaky ads get deleted so don't waste your time. (Viral marketing is the name for this according to Pet Connections Blog) Yes I see them even in older posts. (I got one just this morning thinly disguised.) To my readers, PLEASE ignore them and their links should they be there before I have the chance to delete them. If I believe in a product or site they will be added to my blogroll or mentioned in a post. Sorry for any inconvenience or annoyance.

Happy Easter from Mystery Man

Mystery Man dropped by today to say Happy Easter!

Keep checking back!

Remembering

Today I got an e-mail about a former clients passing. I have to admit that while I enjoy most of my clients, Harvey was one of the special ones. He was sweet and funny and made me laugh. I enjoyed the time we shared and I learned alot from my time spent at his home. His positive presence will be missed from this planet by many people. Here are some photos of his cocker Sprungli when she came for a stay during one of his business trips. She was also very sweet, super smart, and made me laugh with her antics. Isn't she cute?

She loved to play tug with Jack.

And had no qualms about using him as a pillow afterwards.

So here's to remembering Harvey and a life well lived. May he be enjoying his next adventure, whatever that may be.

Tracking Season is nearly here!

And it's a good thing, too, since our May tracking test is only 8 weeks away! Days are hovering near 0 degrees C (32 F) and parking lots are clear of snow. Some dead grass is appearing here and there.

Yesterday afternoon Julie and Austen came out with me and River to take advantage of the warm afternoon. We decided to lay blind tracks for each other, with no obstacles and not too complex. We wanted to evaluate where we are at to form a plan to take us from here to the test on May 24-25.

Earlier this winter we found that by using more articles, our dogs get their nose down more and stick more closely to the primary track. We aged both tracks for just over an hour then ran them - River first, then Austen. I ran Ted on Austen's track immediately after for some good motivation for Ted on a fresh urban track. We were very happy with how they did.

Above - River's track: Julie put more articles on River's track than I did for Austen and you could see how dedicated River was to finding them. She also deliberately put some near to corners as we have decided to work on things that could happen in a test - shorter legs and articles on short legs and nearer to turns.

It is tough in urban tracking, when a dog has to resume tracking and almost immediately find a turn after an article. I don't mind it the other way - having an article after a turn! However, yesterday River cut one short leg to get to an intermediate article. She overshot her last turn on the parking lot. Part of our plan now is to follow our dogs to some degree, to practice actual test handling. We want to get that feeling of "not knowing where the track goes" and reading when our dog is off. Even though these were blind tracks, we made sure the handler knew if they were past a corner and which way it went so we could observe our dogs. River decided to come back on her own, and trotted towards me. I saw her look with her ears up several times in the direction of the turn. It was a great experience!

Above: Austen's track: Austen's track started on a very narrow boulevard - we have decided to try different types of starts such as the "narrow boulevard" which can cause some quartering as scent flows off the edges - another urban peril! At the midpoint of Austen's track a man going for a walk came up and offered Austen a cookie. Julie and I were asking him not to, and Julie lunged and grabbed the milkbone before it reached Austen. As we were trying to ask this man to leave us alone, Austen was working despite OUR distraction! He literally pulled Julie onto the parking lot and just nailed his right turn to a metal article. It was a brilliant moment and we laughed later because the moment when the intense focus lightened up was the moment when Austen was able to track more freely. We learned a great lesson from that.

Of course, people can come distract your dog in a test and this was good experience too. Like River, Austen overshot his last turn too - the prevailing wind was going in that direction. He worked his way back to the last glove, but not before he stood in a spot on the snowbank looking fairly perturbed. From my position I watched him then give a shrug and make his way directly to the last article. Later, I confessed to Julie that where Austen had been standing was where I originally ended the track. I even placed an article exactly where he stood. I decided that the last turn made him go through a big puddle, and that his track was long enough if it ended on the parking lot, so went back to the last turn and put the article down. The distance was not far enough to have been whistled as the last leg was only 40 metres.

I feel slightly sheepish today for having done that. It made a false leg and dead end for Austen. I did not tell Julie about it, and when she heard what he had done, she was doubly proud of him for working it out. As his handler, she trusted him and followed to the end. This would hopefully not happen on a test day. It shows how even in cold weather on an aged urban track, our dogs are able to smell things such as a placed article which sat on the snow for only seconds.

Ted rushed through the track Austen had just done very happily, only skipping the metal article which was no surprise as he is just at the TD level. Since it was so fresh this was mostly motivational for Ted, who is quite a clown at articles now, but more willing to resume tracking until we reach the end. This is not a skill he needs for TD, but of course, I have set my sights higher than that for him so give him lots of good experiences while making sure he doesn't lose his confidence and motivation.

All in all, as usual, we learned alot!

River's Prayer

A few days ago I wrote about our everyday routines here at home. Here is one more: Each night, I bring the dogs to bed and they each get a "night time cookie" in their own special spots. From the time River was a puppy, I would toss her cookie on the bed. But she never jumps right up on the bed for the cookie. She always just puts her front half on the bed and eats her cookie that way. After she eats her cookie, she stays like that for a few moments. I think she is waiting just in case I throw another one. However, it looks like she is saying her evening prayers!

Every night, when River does this, I join her in our little prayer and we say "Thank you God, for another good day."

River might also be praying for bigger, better cookies. I think she is also praying for God to bring her another German Shepherd to be her friend. She loves Shaman and Ted, but misses Thorn terribly. She might also make a note to God that it would be nice if I slept on the puff on the floor once in a while, and let her have the bed. She loves the bed when she has it to herself, but NEVER sleeps on it with me!

Maybe she is saying thanks because we went tracking today, and she did a nice job - or I should say - *I* did a nice job following River - on a blind track!

The way she just hangs on the bed every night is very sweet and is a reminder to me to say thanks to God too. I often remark that my dogs are such good teachers, but they are also good spiritual guides, reminding me to find happiness in everything, and enjoy each day without dwelling on the past or future.

One thing I know for sure...it is a better day every day because of River's friendship!

Mystery Man update

The countdown is on...stay tuned!

Congratulations Nancy and Tazo - CCA National Specialty Winners 2008!!

The Collie Club of America National Specialty has been going on in LaCrosse Wisconsin all week, and there was some big news tonight...

Nancy Anstruther from Innisfail Alberta won Best of Breed with Am Can Ch Tallywood Transcendental!

Also known as Tazo, his sire is Tag, a half brother to Shaman and son of AMCan Ch Gambit's A Hurricane Brew'n (Twister). Tazo's beautiful mother Macy won Winners Bitch at the National as a puppy. He traces back to Kodak - AMCan BISS Gambit's Freeze Frame, who won the National Specialty TWICE! I think Tazo looks like Kodak, his great-great grandfather. Nancy is the breeder of my own wonderful Shaman and the lovely Kate, my sable collie of many years ago (my 2nd TDX dog!)



We are so proud of you Nancy!! Way to go!!


These pictures are from the CCA website - please visit the website for more information http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/national_2008/index2.html

Nancy's website is in the menu to the left - look for Tallywood Collies to see more pictures of Tazo and Nancy's other beautiful, and intelligent collies.

Everyday routines and funny habits

In this picture, Ted is expressing sheer joy as he tosses his favourite big blue horse ball as part of his greeting ritual every day when I come home.

Living with a pack of dogs, you start to notice that dogs love routine. The things they pick up and repeat most often are things that I don't teach, but things that seem to bring me a lot of joy and make me laugh. Here are some photos I've captured during the past week of the dog's funny habits and routines...

Donna tries to work on the computer

First there is Ted and his newly discovered obsession with this blue bone. This is the view I always have while I try to type at my computer, as Ted says "wouldn't it be more fun if you were to toss my bone, AGAIN? and AGAIN? and HEY, I have a bone here!!!"

Donna comes home from work

When I come home every day, the dogs do the same thing, to the letter. Each of the dogs runs for their favourite toy and they each put on quite a show for my benefit, as if they are the only dog in the yard. They compete like kids - "look at me! look at me!!" River runs and plays with the sheep bucket, Shaman tosses around his kong (he is the only one to play with that toy), and Ted has his blue horse ball. I am sure my neighbours think I am insane the way I laugh and play with the dogs every day when I come home from work. What a great greeting, and stress buster!

River actually prances with her bucket, looking so incredibly proud. There couldn't be a better toy, as far as she is concerned. I call her the Bucket Dancer.

It is amazing to me, to see Shaman continue to do so well. Two weekends ago he had his annual vet check. We did not give him any vaccinations, because he is 10.5 and has a tumour. However, my vet could not really find much evidence of the tumour. Shaman is doing OK - sometimes he is a bit confused, and he has lost weight, but he is enjoying life and is fighting that cancer diagnosis. I have him on some supplements - maybe they have helped him!

Getting ready for the annual vet check

Every spring when it is time for their annual vet check, I bath the dogs and give them a trim to spiff them up. This is one routine that none of us really enjoys, but when they are done, they seem to feel pretty special.

In the photo below, you can see the tips of my fingers as I am saying "STAY!" and you can also see how obedient River is...(not)...

In this photo, I finished bathing all three dogs and posed them in the sun. They look pretty happy to me - as much as they may not like a bath, all that attention is pretty sweet.

Take the toy to the kitchen to barter for cookies

This is a routine that was invented by Thorn. Even though he is no longer with us, we have the comfort of his ideas and inventions permeating our everyday habits. Thorn would take a toy and lead me to the kitchen, glancing over his shoulder to make sure I was following. In this picture, River and Ted have run to the kitchen with this blue ball, and they are clearly expecting a reward for "giving me" their toy! (I seem to like these things)

And how did that blue ball get in the house, anyhow?

That is another part of the routine - inside toys are always making their way out, and outside toys make their way in. Here is a picture of Ted at the door, asking if he can "sneak" his ball in. Notice River watching carefully...

...and look who gets the toy after Ted does all the work!

I call the look on River's face her "serious lip." She has a funny way of sticking out her bottom lip when she is really contemplating things, like how many cookies she will get for the toy.

You can see why her nickname is "the Princess!"

I am not repeating myself

These two photos are related to a post I made on the http://www.dogstardaily.com/ blog today. Because I STRONGLY believe in their website, and don't like to repeat myself, I thought I would stop posting things I write to both sites. So to read my other dog related articles, check out http://www.dogstardaily.com/ Click on the blog to read new posts. The site has EXCELLENT training articles and videos by wonderful top names in the field. I feel honored to have been included among them. Go, click, read! Good reader! (Get yourself a treat.)

http://www.victoriastilwell.com/ FMI on Victoria and the show.

Fun for me!

Sunday I got to attend a couple of training seminars. The first was a beginners Rally class. I have always wanted to show in Rally since it seems like so much more fun than regular obedience. I have shown our frenchie Missy a couple of times in regular obedience but we have yet to get a qualifying score. My fault each time. In Rally you get to use hand signals and talk to, praise and encourage your dog. Think more realistic real world obedience.


My birds eye view of Missy.
A little bit of one of the courses. As a trainer it is always fun to get to attend training for a change. No stress of running the class, just the fun of participating and watching others.

For other dogs in the Rally class we had this cutie who belongs to my apprentice Jen. (Please excuse my HORRIBLE camera. I had the flash off so as not to disturb others so it was using caveman slow shutter speed. There will be lots of unintentional blurriness in these pics.) Other dogs included a Briard, a Sheltie, a yellow Lab, a Norweigan Elkhound, and two Belgian Turverns. All gorgeous of course. I wish I had taken more pics. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. Now that I did the class I need to dig out my signs, buy some sign holders and start practicing. No excuses now!
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Then after Rally there was a handling seminar with a UKC judge. I am thinking about showing our frenchie in the Veterans class since she turns 8 in April. Since she is already spayed that is the only class she qualifies for in conformation. (plus they have to be 8 or older) This is a way to dip my toe in the show world and see if I like it without having an intact dog on my hands. Why oh why won't AKC have alter classes? They have them at cat shows and they are VERY competitive. I know they use the, "We use shows to prove breed quality blah blah blah" as their reasoning. However I think that alter classes would be a great way to show progeny of a breeding program AND help addict others into the show world. If it is all about money I think AKC would love to hear of ways to get new people into the show rings. (statisticly entries are down the past few years hence the addition of Rally) Of course I also wish there were more UKC shows around. I love the critiquing of the dogs they do and the fact it is much more laid back. No professional handlers!!! But I digress.

I have actually been going to handling classes in the past as a way to practice Missy's stand for the exam in regular obedience. It worked wonders for her getting used to people bending over her. She loves handling class now because it means lots of treats just for standing and looking pretty. She can do that very well. All I need to do is walk a straight line. Hey it's harder than it looks!

I have also taken my akita Jack in the past just as a way to get him out to do something around other dogs. Many handling classes are drop in so you don't need to set a certain amount of weeks aside to be somewhere specific. Perhaps when Jack hits 8 I will try him in veterans as well just for fun.

We had quite a variety of breeds in the handling class. Irish wolfhounds, labs, turverns, a beagle, a briard, a norweigan elkhound, a cardigan welsh corgi and even a chihuaha. It was fun being around so many other dog people all at once. No worries about to much dog conversation there!


The facility was wonderful. Fabulous skid free flooring. It is a new building owned by http://www.leapingdogs.com/ She was off at a seminar herself but had rented out the space for the classes by other instructors. I admit I had facility envy. I would love to have the space to practice my own stuff inside nice and warm and mud free.
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My next doggy trip is March 29th. I am headed to Portland for an aggression seminar with Dr. Nicholas Dodman at HappyTails. http://www.happytailsportland.com/ I love behavior seminars so it should be alot of fun.