Happy New Year

In 2015 keep your eyes on all that matters. Give it all you've got and enjoy your friends and family.

Christmas 2014

Christmas Day Happiness!

 

Kicking a little snow!

After a real cold snap of -33 the day before, we were treated to a day time high temperature of +3C the day the Grey Cup was played in Regina.  Since the game didn’t start until around supper time. I thought it a perfect opportunity to get out with the kicksled. I headed out to  Lianne’s  place where her  yard  had just been freshly cleared.  The yard and the approaching lane provided a pretty good surface for our maiden run. 

One of my 1^st concerns was  how to hitch the sled bridal to the sled.  I had seen a few pictures of kicksleds that had rings welded to the top part of the runners.  My thought was to try using a couple of  rings that are attached to Velcro that were made to hold water buckets in soft sided crates with metal tubing.  So we fastened them securely, then attached the bridal and ganglines.  Reese was going to be the 1^st to give it a try, I doubted that Nugget being smaller would be able to pull the sled and I on her own. 

Reese did great at being harnessed as she is used of standing still for drafting.  Once hitched , Lianne stood a short distance away with a target and some treats and she fairly effortlessly pulled.  We did this several times and lengthened the distances we had her pull.  Lianne and I took turns riding the sled .   

 

Reese seemed to be doing well, so I brought Nugget out and hitched her up.  Again not to many problems with hitching and getting them to stand with the “line out”.  On the cue of “hike” they took off, but very quickly Reese started to hang back letting Nugget do most of the pulling.  We had the idea of unhooking Nugget from the sled, but leaving her attached to Reese by the neckline.  Reese was still attached to the sled.  This was even worse, at one point Nugget was actually dragging Reese who in turn was dragging the sled. 

What I learned is that Nugget can definitely  pull on her own.  Also after  talking to Erin, she told me that probably Reese just needs to gain confidence on her own before adding the Nugg.  So next  outing, I will do some one dog pulling with Reese.  Erin also said that using a quad that will stay just ahead of them can also be useful in getting the dog to move out.

We also hitched Torque, Em and Sonny up.  Using the target to get  them going, and  a person calling, worked fairly well for our 1^st time out.  Torque took me for a ride while Lianne called, and HOLY CRAP…all I can say is weeeeeeeeeeee!

 More Winter fun to come for sure.

Kicksled madness!

While at an agility trial in September, I was talking to a friend about carting with Reese and Nugget and lamenting the fact that winter would soon be on its way and carting would be done.   He asked me if I had any interest in sledding.  He and his wife had been left with numerous dog related items after a very good friend had passed away in the spring .   Among the items was a Kick Sled, complete with 2 harnesses. I jumped at the chance to have a look at them before I left Brandon and low and behold 2 weeks later they dropped the sled off in Regina.

I have been reading everything I can find on the internet to figure out what I need as far as equipment and training.    The smallest harness fits Nugget to a T.  The larger harness was too big for Reese, but it fit a carting friends Giant Schnauzer and she had a smaller one that fit Reese. Cool how that worked out for both of us.

Not that I want to rush winter, but I do want to be ready for the white stuff when it comes, I am looking at ganglines and a neckline.  I am working on teaching the 2 Chesapeakes left and right verbal commands.  Reese has a little history from agility, but her cues are muddied by also teaching spin and turn.  Nugget is a clean slate, so I have just been working left with her and she seems to have it.  On to right!  One other thing I can work on without  snow, sled or real lines, is a line out command.  This will be a command to get the dogs to hold the lines taunt and stand still, until given the release.

Something I often run into when carting is, people who think it is cruel to have the dogs pull a cart. If the dog is in good physical condition, the cart is well balanced, the harness fits properly and the weight being pulled is suited to the dogs size there is no physical danger to them.  Both Reese and Nugget love to pull and I mean that as in loving it as much as they love to chew a bone.  However they were both introduced to carting slowly and safely.  When it comes to sledding the rule of thumb is if the sled  and rider weigh more then the dog plus 100lbs then another dog should be added.  This is considering that the dog is at least 40lbs.

So yesterday we had our 1^st snow, it won’t likely stay, but it prompted me to order a 2 dog gangline and neck line.  If all goes well the lines should be here by the end of the week.

Recallers 4.0

Recaller 4.0

Recallers 4.0 is an online course with Susan Garett at “Say Yes” dog training.  Over the last couple of years I have been reading her blog and have ordered and worked through her One Jump and Crate Game DVD’s.  Recently she offered several free webinars leading into the Recaller 4.0non line course.  What I saw in the dogs that have taken the course in the last 3 sessions, I really wanted for Nugget and Reese.  I saw dogs being recalled amidst distractions, people building working relationships with their dogs and most importantly dogs and people having fun.  Even 12year old Ardi is still up for some fun and training has always been fun for her.  I also saw that new behaviours could translate to a better life for our household of 3 Chesapeakes and 2 people.  So as they say “Let the games begin”

Susan’s blog can be found at  susangarrettdogagility.com/tag/say-yes-dog-training

 Nugget on her way to a Brilliant Recall!

Day 1 Reinforcement Zone-

The day 1 Game of the Recallers 4 online course is Reinforcement Zone. Reinforcement Zone is the area around you that your dog looks for and finds reinforcement in.  Ideally for most dogsports it is at your side. Part of the days game was to do a test to see where the dogs natural reinforcement zone is.

 I was surprised to find out that 10 month Nugget had a very good clear reinforcement zone which was right by my side in what obedience people would call the heel zone, her sits were fairly straight and she was close, but not on top of me.  But not too surprised to find that she could not maintain the position for too long nor was it easy to find it if you moved, mostly she just got distracted and thought the game was over.

Reese found her reinforcement zone quickly and could maintain it for a length of time with focus.  Her zone was slightly ahead of me, in what most would know as forging, her sits were pretty straight, but they did tend to curve toward me, with focus on my hand.

Just for fun, and because Ardi is game to try anything, I checked to see where Ardi liked to hang out naturally.  It was pretty much with both feet on top of mine in front of me.  If you asked her to move or heel she complained, but she had the best focus of all. 

 

 

Christmas Bandits 2012

~~WANTED ~~

in 4 Provinces and 6 States

Wild Eyed Reese, Baby Face Nugget and Ardi Oakley.


This gang is Trouble with a capital T.  The little one with the snow beard appears to be the ring leader in frequent early morning barking, unsoliciated boistuous greetings that include licking and jumping,  Don't be fooled by the tail wagging, they will stop at nothing to steal your heart, your time and empty your wallet,  Then remarkably,  leave you with a warm feeling. Sightings of their antics usually  leave you laughing and unaware of their mischief.  Approach with caution if you ever want to see your heart again.





 



Happy 12th Birthday Ardi

 Today Ardi, turned 12 years old. She had a great year.  In March of this year we started feeding her and Reese a raw food diet.  This has made a huge difference to her energy level, skin, coat, teeth and just her over all health.  We love this girl and thrilled she is doing so good.  Her cake is made of peanut butter and bannana topped with yogurt and turkey biscuits to decorate.

Reese @ 4yrs old, Ardi @ 12 yrs old and Nugget @ 6 months.

2012 Santa Claus Parade

What do you get when a few people refuse to hang up their carts and harnesses for the season/ You get the formation of an improptu group so they can enter the 2012 Santa Clause Parade.  The group is named the "Queen City Canine Carting Group".

With the theme of the parade being "Story Book Time" we decided to go with a Dr Seuss Christmas Classic,  "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"   We were the people of Whoville and were were bringing Christmas back.    This was a whole lot of fun!

Puppy Dash @ the QC Ex!

On August 2nd at Regina's Queen City Exhibition Nugget got to participate in a couple of shows.

Nugget was in the the Puppy Dash.   It was a race through the tunnel, through the hoop around the barrel and back. My motivator was a wooden spoon with peanut butter on it. It was a ton of crazy fun for dogs and handlers alike.

Nikki's 11th Birthday - Swimming and Retrieving with friends




Ardi @ 11.5, Nikki @11 & Chaser @ 9

 

Happy 11th Birthday Nikki

Today was Nikki's 11th Birthday and there is no better way for a retriever to celebrate then swimming and retrieving with old friends. 



The 3 old timers retrieved a few bumpers and dokkens and did a little swimming. 

Ardis



Chaser



There were a few youngsters that enjoyed the birthday swim as well.



True (10months) and Torque (8 months)



Torque having a ball.





Ribbons are nice but.....we play for the toys!!

Ribbons and titles are nice, but  both Ardi and Reese really play for the prizes.   Stuffed toys to be exact.  Funny thing is that whatever you give Ardi, she likes and makes it her own forever.  But no matter what you give Reese, she wants what Ardi has.

KAOS Drill Team

From the 2011 Queen City Exhibition, the KAOS Drill team.  This is just the second performance for the group. The team was made up of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever , a Labrador Retriever, a Duck Toller, two Golden Retrievers, a Mini Long Haired Dachshund, a Standard Poodle, a Rough Collie, a Boston Terrier and a Shetland Sheepdog.

What fun they were to watch and we hope to see more of them at upcoming dog events.

Ardi's day in the Sun!

Today was one of those days for me to take a step back from training and give youngster Reese a day off.  Not only was it Ardi's day in the sun, but it was her day in the sand and water to.

Ardi came along to our training group gathering and  enjoyed following us to set up land marks.  A few bumpers got tossed for her and she hammed it up for treats.  The real excitement for her was getting to the water marks and for the 1st time in a very long time she did get to bring back 2 birds. At 10 years old, Ardi is still thrilled to get out and bring back the birds.   She later had a few long marks thrown with the launcher, which she enjoyed a nice leisurely swim out to and back.  She is one happy and tired girl.

Up and running.

Well I am happy to report we are up and running and that our runs are bark free. It didn't take long for Reese to decide that barking was wasted energy, better saved for the run. 

I am still working on finding the right pace for Reese.  She would like to go full tilt, but I am not to comfortable with doing this for an extended period on pavement.  There are a few places I could take Reese where I can let her run without being attached to the bike. When she barked at the bike and tried to bite the tire, this was not an option.  I think running without any pressure to speed up or slow down while harnessed would be best.

If I let her, I would not have to pedal at all, in fact I have to frequently ride the break to slow her down.  She is responding to a verbal easy and understands the turns, which I like. Frequent or sudden braking puts strain on the harness which puts strain on her so the more we ride together, the better it is for both of us.

Tonight I took the GPS with me and our route was 1.73 kms.  We did this in 6.2 minutes and our maximum speed was 23.5kms per hour.  Our average speed was 16.5kms.

Reese and I after the Ride

Biking with Reese

Two of my favourite activities are cycling and hanging out with the dogs. Before I had dogs to exercise and train, I did a lot of cycling. Although I love them both, I never thought the two went together. I’ve had a couple of bicycle accidents and know it can be dangerous enough with out the added risks of biking with a dog. Secondly, I think unless done with consideration for the dogs well being and limitations it can wear the dog down more then it can benefit the dog.

I had a opportunity to try the Walky Dog, a bike accessory that can make riding with a dog safe and enjoyable. My first dog biking experience was biking with a friends Irish Setters, who are comfortable with the bike and know basic commands like Load up (get the harness on ) Whoa , Left and Right. It was a blast to say the least.

After trying it with the two Setters, we got Reese out, harnessed her up and spent a few minutes walking her beside the bike. Just walking beside the bike was going to be a test, as Reese has always been one to bark at moving objects. Weather it was the vacuum cleaner rolling down the hallway, garage door closing , teeter tipping or anything on wheels, she was sure it needed a talking to. We started by putting the harness on Reese and then attaching her to the bike and we just walked the bike. She barked a little bit, and pulled sideways a bit, but in no time she was keeping a steady distance and pace with the occasional bark. So I decided to get on the bike and ride. Once I got on the bike and started to ride Reese barked the whole time. She only let up when I picked up my speed and she had to concentrate more on keeping up then barking. Surprising though she did not try to pull forward or sideways and did understand when to slow down and turn. I gave the transitions names like “easy” and “left” and “right” but she was really cueing from the bike itself. Heaven knows she couldn’t hear me for the barking.

So I went out and got a Walky Dog attachment for my bike. My friend Monica gave me a harness to use, that belongs to one of her setters. It needs some repair, so while I am waiting for it to get fixed I will work on getting Reese comfortable around the moving bike. Tonight we harnessed Reese in an old tracking harness of Kate’s. Bonnie pushed the bike and I followed along with Reese on leash. I clicked and treated her everytime she made a choice not to bark at the tire. It went remarkably well, she did not bark once, although she did look like she was gearing up to bark, she didn’t. We ended this lesson here and will continue doing this until the biking harness is ready. As always more to come.

Pet Expo Practise - 3 Point Barrel

Reese

This video is of Reese, Ardi and Bliss practising 3 point barrel. They are preparing for the end of January when our club will be performing a number of public demonstrations at Pet Expo. Pet Expo raises funds for the Regina Humane Society and features a number of booths, demonstrations and mini workshops geared to the pet owner.

This demonstration is fashioned after the rodeo event of barrel racing. The object is for the handler to direct the dog around a clover-leaf pattern of preset barrels in the fastest time. In some of our demos we race dog against dog, with the fastest dog winning. While other times we pair kids and dogs, each takes a turn to run the course and their times are combined. The fastet combined time wins.

Ardis

The barrels are set fairly close together in this video, mostly because of the building size, but they are also placed closer together while the dogs are learning the pattern. Reese and Bliss are fairly young and new to this type of demonstration, while Ardis is an older dog out to get a little exercise. The handlers of the young dogs are concentrating on tightening up the dogs turns to get a better time. Both young dogs are doing well in their training. We will see if they have perfected their performances enough to be included in the demonstrations at the end of the month.

Bliss

Ardi and Reese's Geo Coin

Today is exactly 1 year since Ardi and I headed out on an adventure armed with the GPS receiver from the car. On December 4th last year I found my 1st geocache and today while out with my sister Judy and Ardi , I found cache number 390.

Ardi tries to budge Star55 into action

Geocaching is like a scavenger or treasure hunt using a GPS. Once you find the cache you can trade items or pick up collectibles or travelling game pieces.

The cache seeking provides the chance to get outdoors with friends and often Ardi or Reese come along. The hunt takes us to many places we may never have gone and the game gives us cause to document and log our trips.


Collecting and trading trackable game pieces is a whole other dimension of geocaching. Recently a fellow dog fancier and geocacher gave me a collectible called a Geo coin. It is a special coin called a Geo Dog coin.

Ardi & Reese's Geo Dog Coin

My plan is to take with me anytime I have Ardi or Reese with me and log every cache it visits with them. I will also take it to caching events and dog events so other cachers can discover it. Everytime I log a visit, the information is stored on the coins own web site (http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?id=1024566) and I will be able to track the mileage and places visited. Today Ardi travelled with me to 4 caches and we logged 26 kms. It will be interesting to see the log a year from now.

Happy 10th Birthday Ardi

Ardi celebrated her 10th Birthday today by going to a Rally O fun match and then coming home to have some Birthday cake with Reese.

Fishing for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

This is just plain fun. I like the end of the video where he holds up his prize catch for photographs, then releases him back into the wild.