On a lovely spring morning, I took Daisy Mae for a hike in Howarth Park. When I pulled into my driveway, this little guy ran around my front fence and down the street.. My neighbor was out in his front yard with his dog...so I called down to him...and he caught the dog. Neither of us had seen this dog before. We know the dogs that regularly walk in our neighborhood (and their owners). He held the dog while I put Daisy Mae in the yard.

I walked around the block talking to people (most people know me because I am always out walking a dog. No one had ever seen this little guy. He was very clean and fit and I knew he must belong to someone...he was not a stray. So, my neighbor helped me put him into Daisy Mae's car crate and off we went to Pet Care (Fulton Road). They scanned him for a microchip...nothing.

Since they act as an intake for the animal shelter, I left him there. By the time I got home, my neighbor had left a note on my front door...he had found the owner! He left me the person's name and phone number. I called the man and told him where he could pick up his dog, then called Pet Care and gave them the man's name and number.

Below is the sign that got my neighbor's attention. The dog lived 2 streets over and a block down from me. I love a happy ending:>)

(From February 2014)

Two weeks ago, on a Monday morning, I decided to let Daisy Mae have a bed in her run. She had been destructive as a younger dog. However, she had been sleeping on this bed for more than a year without a problem, when it was outside the run. I felt that she knew it was hers and wouldn’t bother it. It was an older bed, and if she did a little nibble or rip, I would throw it away. Below is a picture of what I came home to that day.

Normally one would be worried about what the dog ingested. I was concerned, but Daisy Mae had always been miss “rip and spit” when she chewed things up. But what really worried me was her breathing…she was having a severe problem with a very strong reverse sneeze. Also it sounded like she had a stuffy nose. It definitely was not normal breathing. So off we went to the emergency vet. After 2 trips, a night in emergency and exam by two vets…She had ingested part of a zipper…luckily it was already in her colon and it was felt she should pass it without a problem. And no one could explain about the breathing problem. The GP vet who examined her said she must have just developed allergies or had suddenly come down with kennel cough. I explained that she had no history of allergies and it was absurd to think this was kennel cough…no fever or runny nose…and a sudden onset when she chewed up her bed. He finally agreed to look in her nasal passages with a scope, but explained that for a full exam it would need an internist. He didn’t find anything and sent her home on anti-inflammatories to deal with her “inflamed tonsils.”

I took her to work with me the next day and she was having a very bad time…so we went back to the vet. He said he didn’t know why we were there. “I told you there was nothing else I can do for you.”

We went home very discouraged…and I couldn’t figure out how to help her. No one wanted to believe that she had something in her nose or sinuses. That night I called and talked to the ER vet, whom I had known for a long time. She said that she agreed with me and set up an appointment for a scoping with an internist the next day. He didn’t start until 3pm. Before the procedure he called to talk to me...and even he had the audacity to suggest kennel cough…When he called back, he had found something in the back of her nose which he had removed. He also hosed out her sinuses and didn’t find anything else.

When I met him several hours later, he walked into the room, introduced himself, and said “I apologize. We were wrong and you were right.” BE AN ADVOCATE FOR YOUR DOG! The one thing you have in your favor is that you know your dog!!

Sometimes I do something right...

Dog training and teaching are microcosms of life...just like life there are ups and downs. Life has a way of throwing you at lot of negatives. It is easy to remember the things you didn't do well...the dog and handler that dropped out of class...the person you weren't as patient with as you wanted to be...the dog you just couldn't get a handle on. It sometimes makes you wonder how much you are doing right.

Then, about the time you might be getting really discouraged, you receive a very special call from a student or former student. The first time this happened was at least 3 years ago. A former student had moved to Las Vegas. I had known this lady and her grand daughter for almost 10 years, and worked with them and their dogs over that time. I hadn't spoken tho either of them in  long time, and came home to find a message from the grandmother. Her message told me that she was in the hospital, and wanted to get my advice on caring for the dogs when she returned home. I called her back immediately. I can't tell you the depth of my sadness when I learned she was dying; her cervical cancer had returned. And I was deeply honored to be one of the few people she reached out to at the untimely end of her life.

More recently, I received a call from a student that had trained their lab,, Daisy with me, thirteen years ago.
They lost Daisy 6 months ago, and have a new puppy. She said they had such a positive experience with me before, that they wanted to train their new dog with me also.

Today I came home from work and found a message from a former obedience and agility student, who just called, he said, to find out what I was doing, because he hadn't talked to me in a long time. I called him back tonight, and found out he is having open heart surgery tomorrow. I am honored that I was someone he reached out to the night before his surgery. He said he wanted to be sure I was teaching, as he plans on getting a new dog, and wants to come back and train with me.

Tonight I am thankful to know that I have had a positive effect on these people's lives. I makes it all worthwhile.

Agility-Daisy Mae Style

Because I teach agility, obedience and agility, I started working with Daisy Mae in all in all three. I had no idea what events, if any, Daisy Mae would excel at. The three dogs I trained before her had all had tons of drive, so this is what I was used to. I do not find it enjoyable to "cheerlead" my dog round the course. When I watch someone else run a dog like that I always wonder why they bother, as the dog certainly does not appear to be having fun...so it must be just about the handler. But, I have also seen dogs who are unsure at the beginning, but pick up speed and enthusiasm as they gain experience. Which dog did I have?

Finally, I decided that Daisy Mae had all of the basics, and was very controllable, and entered her in her first CPE Trial...only two classes...so I could evaluate how her training was going to hold up in the ring. Anyone who has trained multiple agility dogs will tell you that it takes time to develop that partnership with each dog. Daisy Mae started slowly but stayed with me...until she went thru the tunnel...which acted like a "particle accelerator." She almost took me out at the knees!

Next I decided to try Daisy Mae in NADAC agility, since I was doing it with Saber.  I spent the next year trying to gain control of crazy Daisy Mae. From the time she took off...she was gone. She did not just run around the ring...she ran courses...her courses...her way...with great enthusiasm! How could I gain control but not lose that enthusiasm! The best was Tunnelers...she did the first tunnel I asked for...and then took off for tunnels unlimited! Every time I asked to come, she did several more tunnels...all I could do was laugh:>)

Daisy has continued to go from insanity to worried and quiet. I like the crazy Daisy! But it is easier to qualify with quiet Daisy. Attached is a video from CPE in January 2013. The control is coming along. My handling needs work...I am still thinking Saber. But wait for the tunnel A-frame sequence and her first A-frame. she came across the top and was airborne...and I am praying she hits some part of the contact on the way down. I yelled "touch"...and somehow...she brings herself down with a 4-point landing on the contact, before she is off for the tunnel again!

Next weekend we will do more CPE. Daisy Mae is now in Excellent in AKC, Elite in NADAC, and Level 3 & 4 in CPE. Patience & perseverance are paying off...

 

Daisy Mae - No Longer Spare Emergency Back-up Shepherd

As much as I love my student dogs, sometimes I like to share things on my own dogs. My youngest dog is  Daisy Mae, a rescue German Shepherd.. During the years I was showing Saber, Daisy Mae only received training time in bits and pieces...Saber was definitely in my number one position. I referred to her as "Spare Emergency Back-up Shepherd" Since Saber's spinal surgery and retirement, she is now in the number one position for training and showing.

Obviously I didn't expect her to be ready instantly. However, the question of  how to ramp up her training has given me great pause for thought. As I have said hundreds of times, "She is not Saber." Saber and the two dogs I trained before him, were all very high drive dogs, who came "hard-wired" to work. This included my German Shepherd, Ajax, and my Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Star. Daisy Mae is definitely a "beta" in my household; she has minimal work ethic...and lots of play ethic. She loves to sun bathe! The work ethic I have had to build into her.The question became, "How do I make training fun and interesting for her?"

Several years ago, we attended an excellent seminar on drive and motivation, with Denise Fenzi. One of the many focuses of this seminar was teaching your dog to tug. Daisy Mae did not know how to tug, and showed no interest in learning. She was not into toys at all, and didn't know how to play retrieve, or even particularly want to chase toys or balls. I has tried a variety of textures and types...to no avail. using Denise's techniques, Daisy showed her first interest in tugging! this is one skill we have worked on continuously, and is key to the behaviors we have built.

As I tried to build a working relationship with Daisy Mae, I realized that, while she loved me on a personal relationship basis, she didn't really need me. She is quite independent. I provided for all of her needs, including the physical, as well as love and affection, without asking anything in return. Now it wwas time to ask for more, and make her realize that she is really dependent on me. One behavior we started with was "tethering". Daisy Mae was not a "hang with me" dog, so I tethered her to me with  a leash, so she had to go everywhere I went. This started a change in her attitude. she started to understand that I was definitely a part of her picture.

Since this was during the winter months, I took advantage of  Daisy Mae's love of being in her crate in the car, and took her to work with me every day. Now she was totally dependent on me for everything, including pottying, walking, feeding, playing and training. this continued for at least 6 months, and our relationship improved by leaps and bounds. She seemed more eager to spend time with me, and I gained a better understanding of her personality. everyday included several short training sessions on my breaks.

Fast-forward to the current time...

The only time I have to train Daisy Mae is after work. She has reached the point that she would rather go out and train with me than eat her dinner. She prances back and forth from the kitchen to the front door, waitng for me to finish feeding Saber and Star, so I will put her in the car, and go out to train. Since she also assists me on the classes I teach, she goes with me at least 4 nights a week. 

Training has become her special one-on-one time with me. At home, she is still number three on the totem pole. Senior dogs Star and Saber really need a lot of special help. Daisy seems to sense that, and understands where she stands. She is now excited to work!!!

What do You Want From Your Dog Trainer?

I always consider it a privilege to be invited into someone's home to help with their dog. During our initial conversation, I try to get as much information as possible, about the person or family, the dog, the problem(s) they are having, what they have tried so far and any training, class or private, they have done. I have found ta\hat most people give pretty good information, within the scope of their knowledge. I always have some basic ideas of how I plan to approach the situation; I am also prepared to throw them out and start over when I assess the situation, if necessary. I always assume that people who take the time to call and set up an appointment and pay me to come really want to solve a problem or problems.

Recently I worked with a family who had a 3-4 year old dog, medium sized, of a breed with which I was not familiar. When we spoke on the phone, the woman told me that if she couldn't get the dog under control, she would be finding it a new home, even though the thought made her sad.

We had a good lesson. The whole family took turns, one at a time, working on the "come" command as well as walking on a leash without pulling. I did not see the extreme energy level that she spoke of on the phone. She took a few notes and got the family's buy-in on working daily with the dog.

When we spoke in my follow-up call, she said they were doing well.

A few weeks later she called to talk about the dog. She said the dog was still too hyper for her, and that she didn't have the time to run the dog several miles every morning, and was thinking she needed to give the dog to the breeder...what did I think? I told her that if the dog was not a good fit for her and her family, that was the best option, and certainly better than a shelter. She seemed very pleased with my answer, and wanted it affirmed several more times. At the end, she thanked me so much for all of my help!

Hindsight being what it is, I can't help but wonder if this was not what she wanted to do all along. Perhaps she didn't realize it, but she needed to work through a process to feel that she had done all that she could...I have no problem with that. In this case, that is what they needed from a dog trainer.

Terry Hawkins and Her Mixed Breed Stars!

When I sent out an email on the article I had just posted - Basketball vs Dog Training,  I received the following comment back from my friend Terry Hawkins. She competes...VERY SUCCESSFULLY, in CPE Agility with her 2 mixed breed dogs, Lucky (now retired) and Chewie. Lucky has also earned her Mixed Breed Utility Dog Title (Obedience)

"I love this comparison. It's funny when you go back to foundation work with
a new dog how much of it becomes a type of dance with moves that feel
natural especially when you watch the newbies who are struggling to
understand how to do a front cross.  I would have to say none of my dogs
would be considered "sexy" and Sharon can attest she did not expect a lot
out of my first agility dog Lucky but lots of practice and praise and she
retires a well titled canine with a lot of attitude.  That repetition in
practice so it comes naturally under pressure is what it is all about. "

Several years ago, Terry and her dogs were featured in Clean Run Magazine. Here is a link to the article-click on Preview.
View the digital version here:
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/cleanrun/1108/index.php?startpage=82
<http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/cleanrun/1108/index.php?startpage=82&drml=g081103690775&drmp=ce7d4cd9>

Chewie and Lucky and Terry

Titles and Ribbons:

TACh C-ATE2 CT-ATE C-ATCH Chewie ExSN ExST ExWC ExJU ExFH ExCL EXJP TExST TExWC
MB-CD CGC MB-RAE2 MB-VX6, TAM, TMAG



C-ATE CT-ATE CS-ATE C-ATCH CT-ATCH CS-ATCH Lucky ExSN ExJP ExFH ExWC ExCL ExJU TExST
TExWC TExJU MB-UD CGC MB-RAE3 MB-VX6, TBAD, TG2