beautiful days

This is beautiful weather we've been having lately. I like to call it perfect dog weather. Warm enough for me, cool enough for them. We went on a walk this morning out in the fields and flushed out a coyote. It was about 100 yards away, and the dogs never saw it, so we didn't even have to practice our leave it. It ran a bit then turned to watch us, then disappeared behind some round bales. We hear them almost every night around our farm, but this is the first time we've seen one on our walks.

Tonight we have a training club practice at another club member's home, so Noel and I will get in some obedience practice in a new area. If the weather holds it will be a perfect evening. I'll post later about how the practice goes.

Juvenile Onset Shyness

Have any of you had a dog that has begun to exhibit signs of fearfulness or shyness after 6 months? I'm curious about Juvenile Onset Shyness, quite common in many dogs. With the proper socialization and training, many outgrow this. I think Noel has experienced this although at the time I wasn't sure what exactly was going on. She was a very outgoing friendly puppy, extremely well socialized, but around one year started showing signs of mild fearfulness in certain situations and greeting people. She recovered quickly in most situations so she wasn't an extreme case. Now at almost two and a half she seems to be getting back to her old self again, confident and outgoing, which of course I am happy and relieved to see.

test

just a quick test

Back to Herding

Great book

I'm reading a new book (new for me anyway) by John Rogerson, called The Dog-Vinci Code. John Rogerson is a trainer/behaviorist from Great Britain. I attended a seminar of his years ago at a national APDT conference in Memphis, but haven't been to anything since. I have to say that this book is excellent, whether you're a trainer or pet owner. It is easy to follow and gives many great examples, but what I love about it is that it is so completely practical. It just makes sense. If you are looking for a fantastic book to help you understand dogs, this is it!

updates

I received an update on Slammer today and he started agility classes already with his new owner! They are having a blast and I am so happy at how fast he's adjusted. He's such a good boy.

Scott and I have taken the summer off from showing and have been working on getting Noel and Sula ready for obedience competition. Both are doing great overall, but both have their own issues that still need some finishing touches. Noel needs to practice in a few more new places which we'll be doing in the next couple of weeks and we're still working on tightening up those crooked sits. Sula needs more proofing with distractions, especially during heeling. We've been practicing throwing toys and dumbbells around and she's getting better. We both miss showing but don't want any "surprises" in the ring. :-)

Placing dogs

I made some difficult decisions in August to place two of my dogs in other homes. My Collie Slammer had gone to live with a friend over a year ago but he and her male dog didn't get along well, so Slammer returned to me early this summer. I toyed with the idea of keeping him but he made it clear after a month or so that he wasn't happy here so I began a search for the perfect home for him again. At the end of August I received a call from a friend in LaCrosse, who happens to be a school principal, and her administrative assistant was interested in meeting Slammer. It has been a match made in heaven. Slammer is now a full time companion to Robin and her husband, their other dog and two cats, whom Slammer gets along with wonderfully. He spent all last week hanging out at the school during registration getting lots of attention from the kids and staff. He will be returning to agility competition with his new owner. The other dog that I said goodbye to is Bugs, my border collie. Bugs is an outstanding therapy dog but because of my crazy schedule she rarely has the opportunity to use this gift. She is now living in Iowa with LeAnn, a kindergarten teacher, her husband and three kids, and two golden retrievers. She attends the Starmont school with LeAnn everyday and is a therapy dog in her classroom. The staff and children love her, as do LeAnn's family, and it is a regular fight as to which of her kids gets to spend the most time with Bugs. She is getting 24 hour a day attention, not something that I could give her.

It's such a difficult decision let a dog go and I can't help but feel responsible for disappointing them in some way. But when I hear about how they're thriving in their new homes I know that I made the right decision.