Monday, November 16, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Living life to the eXtreme
Extreme de Bellator, call name "X"
(Arlie de Bellator SchH1, CD, TD X Ben von der Eisspitzen SchH3, KKL 1)
X with Dagger
We pick her up at training on Sunday, I met her last Sunday and she's a cutie!
De Bellator German Shepherd Dogs
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
The best game in the world...
Before he was even born my plan for Bullet was Schutzhund. (In short, Schutzhund is a three-phased sport that was originally designed to show the versatility of a working dog and determine its breed worthiness. It includes tracking, obedience and protection.) As a puppy I focused on playing tug games, teaching him to track and obedience. Unfortunately you need a club for this sport unless you have access to your own personal decoy. I didn't. At that point I was still unsure of which club to join but I still prepared.
Tracking
Obedience
Protection
When Bullet was about a year old I began my search in earnest. Most of the clubs in Ontario were off the table immediately based on their locations and training times. Other clubs never got back to me when I contacted them about visiting on a training day. Some clubs weren't accepting new members as they were at capacity, or they plain just didn't go out of their way to welcome an unknown person.
Then there are clubs that use a very different training style than I do, and they expect all their members to train a certain way. That goes against my very nature and I will not do it. Advice is one thing, but being told you have to do it one way? Willingly handing someone else the power to correct MY dog? No. Never. I like my dog and am not willing to starve, deprive or hurt him for points in a sport. Not to mention that I feel it's entirely possible to train positively and get an impressive, high-scoring performance without resorting to those methods. (I plan on proving that.) Oh, and have I mentioned that I like to do things my way? :)
When I train, my goal is always excellence, but I will not compromise the relationship I have with my dog. Bullet is my friend and companion first of all, we train for the joy of it.
Anyway... I finally found a club I was comfortable with full of people I genuinely liked. Yay! Bullet's obedience helped us make an impression as it showed them I was serious.
We were accepted as members in September 2006 and got our BH in October 2006. Our training progressed and we trialed at a DVG club one year later and got our IPO 1.
Around that time the helper who had done most of Bullet's bitework training was injured and it was unknown if he'd ever be able to decoy again. Bullet's training became inconsistent and it started to show in his performance. At that point, as hard as the decision was, I decided to take a break from the sport.
We were nearly back at square one. The upside was that I now had schutzhund friends and acquaintances. I had some experience. I had titled in the sport.
Enter the creation of FRONTIER Working Dog Club, a new DVG club in Ontario.
As strong individuals we may not always agree on the small details but our core values are the same. We all love our dogs dearly, they are family members first.
Our training methods reflect this.
We start with a clear goal in mind and take our time building the best possible foundation. We listen to our dogs and treat them as the individuals they are. We strive to train as positively as possible, to correct as little as possible, to be fair, kind, honest and creative with our K9 partners.
And so the schutzhund journey Bullet and I are taking together continues. It truly is the best game in the world when you have a dog at your side who loves it as much as you do!
Tracking
Obedience
Protection
When Bullet was about a year old I began my search in earnest. Most of the clubs in Ontario were off the table immediately based on their locations and training times. Other clubs never got back to me when I contacted them about visiting on a training day. Some clubs weren't accepting new members as they were at capacity, or they plain just didn't go out of their way to welcome an unknown person.
Then there are clubs that use a very different training style than I do, and they expect all their members to train a certain way. That goes against my very nature and I will not do it. Advice is one thing, but being told you have to do it one way? Willingly handing someone else the power to correct MY dog? No. Never. I like my dog and am not willing to starve, deprive or hurt him for points in a sport. Not to mention that I feel it's entirely possible to train positively and get an impressive, high-scoring performance without resorting to those methods. (I plan on proving that.) Oh, and have I mentioned that I like to do things my way? :)
When I train, my goal is always excellence, but I will not compromise the relationship I have with my dog. Bullet is my friend and companion first of all, we train for the joy of it.
Anyway... I finally found a club I was comfortable with full of people I genuinely liked. Yay! Bullet's obedience helped us make an impression as it showed them I was serious.
We were accepted as members in September 2006 and got our BH in October 2006. Our training progressed and we trialed at a DVG club one year later and got our IPO 1.
Around that time the helper who had done most of Bullet's bitework training was injured and it was unknown if he'd ever be able to decoy again. Bullet's training became inconsistent and it started to show in his performance. At that point, as hard as the decision was, I decided to take a break from the sport.
We were nearly back at square one. The upside was that I now had schutzhund friends and acquaintances. I had some experience. I had titled in the sport.
Enter the creation of FRONTIER Working Dog Club, a new DVG club in Ontario.
As strong individuals we may not always agree on the small details but our core values are the same. We all love our dogs dearly, they are family members first.
Our training methods reflect this.
We start with a clear goal in mind and take our time building the best possible foundation. We listen to our dogs and treat them as the individuals they are. We strive to train as positively as possible, to correct as little as possible, to be fair, kind, honest and creative with our K9 partners.
And so the schutzhund journey Bullet and I are taking together continues. It truly is the best game in the world when you have a dog at your side who loves it as much as you do!
Glory
Glory doesn't get as much mention around here as Bully. There is a simple explanation for that... she's not my dog. Glory is Kevin's dog, and Kevin is Glory's human.
I've tried to convince Kevin to DO something with her like agility, schutzhund, obedience... anything really. Alas, the dog sports that interest him are walks around the neighbourhood, a game of frisbee in the park and company when watching TV. To be honest, Glory is fine with that arrangement so all is well in their world.
Here she is, freshly shaved and looking a little bald, sleeping on the couch with Kevin and Aslan. HOW she finds that comfortable is beyond me!
I've tried to convince Kevin to DO something with her like agility, schutzhund, obedience... anything really. Alas, the dog sports that interest him are walks around the neighbourhood, a game of frisbee in the park and company when watching TV. To be honest, Glory is fine with that arrangement so all is well in their world.
Here she is, freshly shaved and looking a little bald, sleeping on the couch with Kevin and Aslan. HOW she finds that comfortable is beyond me!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Halloween
Once again Bullet was "Superdog" for Halloween this year. When you combine my cheapness with the fact I just don't care, you get a recycled costume.
"Hey kid, you got any scooby snacks to share?"
"Hey kid, you got any scooby snacks to share?"
Fall portraits of Bullet
It was time to groom Bullet as he was looking more like a scruffy mutt than a Giant Schnauzer. (When people start commenting on my labradoodle I know something has to be done...)
Bullet is a lean, mean, muscular machine. There is not an ounce of fat on this solid 78 pound dog (give or take a pound). It makes me curious to put my hands on the 125 pound and upward Schnauzers that many people brag about. Females are included in that weight range, wow. Unfortunately there are too many people who think bigger is better and want their Giants to be truly Giant.
Then there is Glory who I like to call our Miniature Giant Schnauzer. The vet weighted her in at a mere 48lbs on her last visit, she's a tiny, yet mighty, Giant.
Bullet is a lean, mean, muscular machine. There is not an ounce of fat on this solid 78 pound dog (give or take a pound). It makes me curious to put my hands on the 125 pound and upward Schnauzers that many people brag about. Females are included in that weight range, wow. Unfortunately there are too many people who think bigger is better and want their Giants to be truly Giant.
Then there is Glory who I like to call our Miniature Giant Schnauzer. The vet weighted her in at a mere 48lbs on her last visit, she's a tiny, yet mighty, Giant.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Foxy's graduation
Foxy will be two years old in November, it's hard to believe how fast time flies. My little girl is all grown up! I wish her a good life with her new boy and his family. While the rest of the dogs in her class are hopping on a plane to their new homes in BC, Alberta and Manitoba, Foxy will be moving just down the road to Toronto.
Her graduating class:
Her graduating class:
Keeping your dog safe at night, the Auroralite safety collar
How about a random product review? This is not a paid advertisement, I'm reviewing this collar because I like it. I'm the type of person who has to try things for myself before I develop an opinion. How to keep your dog safe at night by use of a lit collar was no different.
From cheap little blinking plastic lights that clip on to a dogs collar, to a hunting dog collar and everything in between... I've bought them all. Do a search on any large pet supply store website and you can see your options.
Here is my black beast sitting in a dark ally. Can you see him? :)
Leaps and bounds ahead of the rest is the Auroralites collar, used by SAR, law enforcement as well as people like me as Bullet is demonstrating in the photo above. This isn't the cheapest collar you can buy but I've found it the best:
• It is bright, a vibrant light blue that penetrates the darkness and circles the dogs entire neck (except for a small area on the front where the battery is held). This is a VERY important detail and where all other collars fell short. With other collars, as your dog turns and corners in the dark you often only see them when their light is facing you, and the farther away they get the harder it is to see them. You see this collar from any angle and at a great distance.
• It is water-proofed.
• It is powered by a battery you can buy anywhere.
• It is easy and quick to take on and off the dog.
• Best of all, it's a Canadian company.
From cheap little blinking plastic lights that clip on to a dogs collar, to a hunting dog collar and everything in between... I've bought them all. Do a search on any large pet supply store website and you can see your options.
Here is my black beast sitting in a dark ally. Can you see him? :)
Leaps and bounds ahead of the rest is the Auroralites collar, used by SAR, law enforcement as well as people like me as Bullet is demonstrating in the photo above. This isn't the cheapest collar you can buy but I've found it the best:
• It is bright, a vibrant light blue that penetrates the darkness and circles the dogs entire neck (except for a small area on the front where the battery is held). This is a VERY important detail and where all other collars fell short. With other collars, as your dog turns and corners in the dark you often only see them when their light is facing you, and the farther away they get the harder it is to see them. You see this collar from any angle and at a great distance.
• It is water-proofed.
• It is powered by a battery you can buy anywhere.
• It is easy and quick to take on and off the dog.
• Best of all, it's a Canadian company.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Foxy is graduating tomorrow.
When National Service Dogs asked me to take Enzo I still had Foxy. While I was willing to take Enzo I don't have the room or the time for two puppies in training so I asked that they find another foster home for Foxy. As much as I like a puppy I know they aren't mine and I'm able to give them up easily enough because of this. Just don't ask me to give up Bullet. :)
This is what I wrote for her new fosterhome nearly a year ago:
FOXY
Yellow Lab/Golden X female, born November 2007
Sponsored by the Kingston Civitan Club
Foxy is calm and polite around the house. She’s never been allowed on our furniture so she doesn’t even try. Very rarely if she becomes super overexcited she’ll do a half jump on a person but other than that she’s polite. When people visit our house I have her do a down stay until they have entered. She waits nicely at all doors, including her kennel if you ask her to wait. Never had issues with her stealing food or acting inappropriate at dinner time, she just lies at our feet.
She’s a wonderful loose leash walker.
She has a habit of taking her time eliminating when she’s on leash, she sniffs forever. You can lead a dog to grass but you can’t squeeze the pee out of it unfortunately.
Great with other dogs, all people big and small, cats. She notices cats, squirrels, geese and other dogs on walks but stays self controlled and working.
I’ve had her swimming before which she LOVES, she stays in the water and splashes in circles whining out of pure happiness.
We have kongs scattered everywhere in our house, she loves to carry them. She’s never been destructive except for very recently, we’d put a dog bed on top of her crate to vacuum and forgot to put it back down, she chewed a corner of this through the kennel. It’s probably best to not put blankets in her crate. We’ve left her loose at night in our bedroom and she’s fine with that, for some reason she always ends up sleeping under the bed even though she hardly fits and I’ve had to pull her out!
Her command for the crate is “kennel”. That’s where we feed her, she does a nice stay before she’s released to eat. Actually, her stays are very, very strong, in public, at home, at work she’s consistently good. The one area that I’ve been a little neglectful in is her recalls, she sometimes chooses that she’d rather not come so that could use some finessing.
Her one nasty habit is poo-eating. We don’t allow it and try to keep our yard pretty clean, but she has been known to like it fresh and will nibble as it’s still coming out another dog. Yes, it’s true. Sorry I had to tell you this but I figured you should know. All-in-all there are worse things in life, hopefully she outgrows this soon.
Everybody who meets her loves her, my coworkers are sad to see her go! I’m a little upset and hurt that they don’t love my dog the same way to tell the truth!
Enjoy her, she's grown into a great little dog.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Seven Groups
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE A DOG FROM EACH CKC/AKC "GROUP", WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
(excluding your own breeds)
Group 1 - Sporting
Group 2 - Hound
Group 3 - Working
Group 4 - Terrier
Group 5 - Toy
Group 6 - Non Sporting
Group 7 - Herding
Group 1 - Sporting
German Wirehaired Pointer (Deutsche Drahthaar). Chances are I'd never get one simply because I'd want to hunt with it and there is only so much time and money in this life.
Group 2 - Hound
Saluki. This is one beautiful breed that I admire from afar but that doesn't fit my lifestyle.
Group 3 - Working
Rottweiler. Love them.
Group 4 - Terrier
Border Terrier. After spending a year working part time (for fun) at the Lion's Foundation Dog Guide kennel I got to know quite a few of these little characters. One downfall was their piercing yips, but that was amplified by numbers and kennel walls. Earplugs were necessary. I'm sure they can't be that bad on their own in a home.
Group 5 - Toy
This one is hard as I'm not a fan of any of the breeds, but if I had to choose one: Miniature Pinscher.
Group 6 - Non Sporting
Another hard group to chose from as nothing stood out, but I've met a few Schipperkes and they seem to be little funny clowns.
Group 7 - Herding
Belgian Malinois. High probability that I'll end up with one.
(excluding your own breeds)
Group 1 - Sporting
Group 2 - Hound
Group 3 - Working
Group 4 - Terrier
Group 5 - Toy
Group 6 - Non Sporting
Group 7 - Herding
Group 1 - Sporting
German Wirehaired Pointer (Deutsche Drahthaar). Chances are I'd never get one simply because I'd want to hunt with it and there is only so much time and money in this life.
Group 2 - Hound
Saluki. This is one beautiful breed that I admire from afar but that doesn't fit my lifestyle.
Group 3 - Working
Rottweiler. Love them.
Group 4 - Terrier
Border Terrier. After spending a year working part time (for fun) at the Lion's Foundation Dog Guide kennel I got to know quite a few of these little characters. One downfall was their piercing yips, but that was amplified by numbers and kennel walls. Earplugs were necessary. I'm sure they can't be that bad on their own in a home.
Group 5 - Toy
This one is hard as I'm not a fan of any of the breeds, but if I had to choose one: Miniature Pinscher.
Group 6 - Non Sporting
Another hard group to chose from as nothing stood out, but I've met a few Schipperkes and they seem to be little funny clowns.
Group 7 - Herding
Belgian Malinois. High probability that I'll end up with one.
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