Been out of town for a few days so behind as usual! The BTCR (Border Terrier Club of the Redwoods) held our Earthdog tests a couple of weeks ago. The AKC rep, Barb Tiegen, was there. Nice lady!
I had a short discussion with Barb about the results of one of the tests by one of my dogs. I will ALWAYS remember what she said to me. We were talking about how one of my dogs didnt get a qualifying leg that test. She said to me,"What did YOU think of his performance? How did he hunt in your opinion? Were YOU proud of HIM?" And then she said, "Do you think he cares if he gets a green ribbon or not? Did HE enjoy himself?"
What a great response from the AKC rep!
The next day, both my dogs earned their ME titles!! I was so proud! But the high point of the weekend was the comments from Barb. Earthdog is alive and well if the thoughts she expressed are what the AKC, the judges and the dog owners are thinking!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
They're ALL Companions!
Someone the other day asked me about prices for puppies and whether there were price differences for a companion dog versus a show dog. I told her I priced my ALL my dogs the same. I could tell you the pros and cons of each scenario in terms of "costs". For example, a show dog has training and showing costs: entry fees, handler fees, travel and hotel fees, etc. But who exactly gets the benefit of a dog being a "show dog"? I've never met a dog that gave a hoot about the ribbons or the CH title.
A breeding dog may have a full AKC registration but also has increased potential of getting a uterine infection, prostate cancer, breast cancer, reproductive disease, C-sections, or even loss of life during whelping. Dog breeding, like horse breeding or similar activities, is fraught with high cost and risk of loss. Yes, a companion dog has to be neutered or spayed, and gets different colored registration papers, but, again, does the dog care? And, except for breeding and showing, these dogs can participate in all the other activities of any other dog. We can go on and on.
The thing that struck me most profoundly was that no matter what their "early career" may be, showing, breeding, companion, performance, search & rescue, or whatever, eventually ALL our dogs become companions. They may take on new careers as they get older such as therapy or baby-sitter or just be fireside, trailside or couch companions. But they all eventually become our companions and friends.
I also remembered something the breeder of my "Kate" told me the day I was blessed to get "Kate". She said that her goal as a breeder was to breed the best companion dog possible. If some were show quality or breeding quality, that was a plus. I had forgotten her words until the other day. Her thinking was so enlightened.
The answer to that person's question is that it really makes no sense to differentiate dogs as show versus companion. We are all breeding companion dogs, or we should be. While their early careers may be varied, all their latter years are spent as devoted companions to us, as we should be devoted to them. What they did or accomplished in their younger years becomes but a memory for us. What they give us as our companions goes way beyond and is much more valuable than any price.
A breeding dog may have a full AKC registration but also has increased potential of getting a uterine infection, prostate cancer, breast cancer, reproductive disease, C-sections, or even loss of life during whelping. Dog breeding, like horse breeding or similar activities, is fraught with high cost and risk of loss. Yes, a companion dog has to be neutered or spayed, and gets different colored registration papers, but, again, does the dog care? And, except for breeding and showing, these dogs can participate in all the other activities of any other dog. We can go on and on.
The thing that struck me most profoundly was that no matter what their "early career" may be, showing, breeding, companion, performance, search & rescue, or whatever, eventually ALL our dogs become companions. They may take on new careers as they get older such as therapy or baby-sitter or just be fireside, trailside or couch companions. But they all eventually become our companions and friends.
I also remembered something the breeder of my "Kate" told me the day I was blessed to get "Kate". She said that her goal as a breeder was to breed the best companion dog possible. If some were show quality or breeding quality, that was a plus. I had forgotten her words until the other day. Her thinking was so enlightened.
The answer to that person's question is that it really makes no sense to differentiate dogs as show versus companion. We are all breeding companion dogs, or we should be. While their early careers may be varied, all their latter years are spent as devoted companions to us, as we should be devoted to them. What they did or accomplished in their younger years becomes but a memory for us. What they give us as our companions goes way beyond and is much more valuable than any price.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Earthdog Thoughts
We're getting ready to hold the Border Terrier Club of the Redwoods spring Earthdog tests in a couple of weeks. There was a discussion the other day about the Intro to Quarry test and whether it should be used as a "Warmup" for dogs entered in a Junior Earthdog test the same day.
I personally am not in favor of using IQ for that purpose. I think it dilutes the time that a judge has to spend with the dogs truely needing IQ as a developmental step. And that is the hallmark of a good IQ test- a judge who takes the time necessary and works with dog and handler to overcome the initial fear of a dark tunnel, to instill confidence in the dog (and handler) and to acquaint the dog with working quarry.
One of the things that came up in our discussion was what things had to be learned or overcome to progress successfully from IQ to a JE title. The neat thing about Earthdog, besides being a great way to develop and satisfy a terrier's natural instincts, is that it is a progression of learning along with a progression of testing.
The things a dog must learn to progress to a JE title include:
1) entering and driving through a LONGER, DARKER, MORE COMPEX, tunnel - it is definitely darker inside a JE 30 ft tunnel with its 3 turns than a 10 ft IQ tunnel with its single turn!
2) that the SCENT of quarry will lead them to the quarry- i.e the reward! Every step in ED develops a dog's confidence in their nose.
3) no handler or judge help is available- the dog is on his/her own. JE is a very simple test to judge: either the dog gets to the quarry in time, begins work in time and works the quarry long enough or they dont.
4) that actively and continuously working the quarry is the objective- not staring at the quarry.
5) being retrieved without resistance or backing up into the tunnel.
If a handler has a dog that is stuck getting to JE and if the issue is item #1 above, additional IQ work will likely NOT help. If the issue is with one or more of the other items above, more IQ work could help. But so could individual training of the dog by the handler.
Item #4 above is interesting in that some dogs just naturally seem to prefer to stare and hold a quarry in place. They will aggressively chase a fleeing quarry but will hold a quarry that is relatively motionless. The criteria of ED is that active working is required. It is up to the handler to train and reinforce aggressive, active work by the dog when confronted by quarry regardless of how the quarry behaves. That means that the handler must THINK ABOUT and UNDERSTAND HOW his dog thinks and reacts to various stimuli. No amount of IQ (or JE) work will, by itself, get them where they need to go. This is an issue that needs development outside the ED tunnel, as well as within it, using very specific action / reward training.
I personally am not in favor of using IQ for that purpose. I think it dilutes the time that a judge has to spend with the dogs truely needing IQ as a developmental step. And that is the hallmark of a good IQ test- a judge who takes the time necessary and works with dog and handler to overcome the initial fear of a dark tunnel, to instill confidence in the dog (and handler) and to acquaint the dog with working quarry.
One of the things that came up in our discussion was what things had to be learned or overcome to progress successfully from IQ to a JE title. The neat thing about Earthdog, besides being a great way to develop and satisfy a terrier's natural instincts, is that it is a progression of learning along with a progression of testing.
The things a dog must learn to progress to a JE title include:
1) entering and driving through a LONGER, DARKER, MORE COMPEX, tunnel - it is definitely darker inside a JE 30 ft tunnel with its 3 turns than a 10 ft IQ tunnel with its single turn!
2) that the SCENT of quarry will lead them to the quarry- i.e the reward! Every step in ED develops a dog's confidence in their nose.
3) no handler or judge help is available- the dog is on his/her own. JE is a very simple test to judge: either the dog gets to the quarry in time, begins work in time and works the quarry long enough or they dont.
4) that actively and continuously working the quarry is the objective- not staring at the quarry.
5) being retrieved without resistance or backing up into the tunnel.
If a handler has a dog that is stuck getting to JE and if the issue is item #1 above, additional IQ work will likely NOT help. If the issue is with one or more of the other items above, more IQ work could help. But so could individual training of the dog by the handler.
Item #4 above is interesting in that some dogs just naturally seem to prefer to stare and hold a quarry in place. They will aggressively chase a fleeing quarry but will hold a quarry that is relatively motionless. The criteria of ED is that active working is required. It is up to the handler to train and reinforce aggressive, active work by the dog when confronted by quarry regardless of how the quarry behaves. That means that the handler must THINK ABOUT and UNDERSTAND HOW his dog thinks and reacts to various stimuli. No amount of IQ (or JE) work will, by itself, get them where they need to go. This is an issue that needs development outside the ED tunnel, as well as within it, using very specific action / reward training.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Walkin' In the Rain
It's the third week of April and we are still experiencing rain today here in N. Ca. Unusual, yes, but not rare. The dogs and I took our walk today under winter-ish skies with billowy, silver clouds and fog atop the hills. Accompanied by some drizzle, some rain, and temps in the 50s. Perfect Border Terrier weather!
The hills are still very lush. The combination of the low clouds hanging upon the green hills made it feel like the Scottish moors! The dogs felt right at home and the breeze brought, and amplified, many fresh scents. We were virtually alone so we stopped often and enjoyed our hike. And why not? We were walkin' in heaven!
The hills are still very lush. The combination of the low clouds hanging upon the green hills made it feel like the Scottish moors! The dogs felt right at home and the breeze brought, and amplified, many fresh scents. We were virtually alone so we stopped often and enjoyed our hike. And why not? We were walkin' in heaven!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Different Perspectives
This isn't a dog story or even dog related but it's a great example of different perspectives!! Gave me a big grin when I heard it! And it is true!
A DJ on a radio station was talking to a young caller when the conversation turned to birthdays. Seems the DJ just celebrated one and the caller had one coming soon.
DJ: So which brithday will you be celebrating?
CALLER: The eleventh one.
DJ: Do you remember any of the others you had?
C: The tenth, the nineth and the eighth.
DJ: Does it seem like it's a long time between birthdays, that a year is a long time?
C: No, not really. It goes by pretty fast.
DJ: Well, time seems to go by alot faster when you get older. A year seems to fly by.
C: Cool!
DJ: No, not cool! Don't rush those birthdays. Enjoy the 16th and the 21st and all of them!
C: OK!
When you have alot of time, time seems to crawl, and you want it to speed up. When you're faced with diminishing time, or not enough, time seems to go by way too fast and you want it to slow down. Enjoy every day with your dog. The time they have with us is so limited.
A DJ on a radio station was talking to a young caller when the conversation turned to birthdays. Seems the DJ just celebrated one and the caller had one coming soon.
DJ: So which brithday will you be celebrating?
CALLER: The eleventh one.
DJ: Do you remember any of the others you had?
C: The tenth, the nineth and the eighth.
DJ: Does it seem like it's a long time between birthdays, that a year is a long time?
C: No, not really. It goes by pretty fast.
DJ: Well, time seems to go by alot faster when you get older. A year seems to fly by.
C: Cool!
DJ: No, not cool! Don't rush those birthdays. Enjoy the 16th and the 21st and all of them!
C: OK!
When you have alot of time, time seems to crawl, and you want it to speed up. When you're faced with diminishing time, or not enough, time seems to go by way too fast and you want it to slow down. Enjoy every day with your dog. The time they have with us is so limited.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
More on Selecting a Breeder
I had an exchange the other day with a potential BT home who ended up going to a large, out-of-area breeder. I dont know if they researched the other breeders here in N Ca or if they were in a hurry to get a dog or what. But that discussion has led me to continue with the breeder thread as more things come to mind.
I advise ALL my inquiries about Border Terriers (and all dogs) that they should investigate the health clearances of the dam and sire of any puppy they are considering. Don't be afraid to ask the breeder what clearances their stock has and what their policies are about testing their dogs. Also ask about how they support a dog they bred who develops serious issues.
Here's an idea on how to do more of the fact-finding yourself.
Use the OFFA website: http://www.offa.org/ . The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals has a database of all dog breeds where breeders and owners can submit data on the health clearances and test results of their dogs. This database is entirely voluntary so not all puppies in a litter will have data submitted nor will every breeder submit all of their breeding stock's test results. That is unfortunate, but also the way it is. So there are limitations on the completeness of the data but GOOD breeders DO SUBMIT the data on their breeding stock and thus it is a very helpful tool.
On the website you can check out the specific health clearances for the sire and dam of a litter from which you are considering getting a puppy. You can also see the results of some of their related siblings and half-siblings, as well as (for Hip Dysplasia only) a vertical three-generation pedigree. This pedigree will show (if all the members of it are in the database) the test results for HD for sire, dam, grandsires and granddams and numbers by category for siblings and offspring.
This is a very useful tool for assessing the risk (not the occurrence) of HD in a pedigree.
If the sire and dam are not listed on the database, that's something to ask the breeder about. It could be as innocent as that they were bred before they were 2 years old. Some test results are not listed or "final" by OFA until 24 months of age. Hip dysplasia is one of these. But if they are older and not listed, or are listed but don't have complete data shown in the database (any and all test results can be withheld by an owner), take the hint and ask the owner/ breeder.
Having good test data is not a guarantee of a healthy dog or a perfect puppy from that dog, but it is a great head start.
In a later post I will analyze some example vertical pedigrees of hip dysplasia data and suggest things to look for and things to be careful about if you see them.
I advise ALL my inquiries about Border Terriers (and all dogs) that they should investigate the health clearances of the dam and sire of any puppy they are considering. Don't be afraid to ask the breeder what clearances their stock has and what their policies are about testing their dogs. Also ask about how they support a dog they bred who develops serious issues.
Here's an idea on how to do more of the fact-finding yourself.
Use the OFFA website: http://www.offa.org/ . The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals has a database of all dog breeds where breeders and owners can submit data on the health clearances and test results of their dogs. This database is entirely voluntary so not all puppies in a litter will have data submitted nor will every breeder submit all of their breeding stock's test results. That is unfortunate, but also the way it is. So there are limitations on the completeness of the data but GOOD breeders DO SUBMIT the data on their breeding stock and thus it is a very helpful tool.
On the website you can check out the specific health clearances for the sire and dam of a litter from which you are considering getting a puppy. You can also see the results of some of their related siblings and half-siblings, as well as (for Hip Dysplasia only) a vertical three-generation pedigree. This pedigree will show (if all the members of it are in the database) the test results for HD for sire, dam, grandsires and granddams and numbers by category for siblings and offspring.
This is a very useful tool for assessing the risk (not the occurrence) of HD in a pedigree.
If the sire and dam are not listed on the database, that's something to ask the breeder about. It could be as innocent as that they were bred before they were 2 years old. Some test results are not listed or "final" by OFA until 24 months of age. Hip dysplasia is one of these. But if they are older and not listed, or are listed but don't have complete data shown in the database (any and all test results can be withheld by an owner), take the hint and ask the owner/ breeder.
Having good test data is not a guarantee of a healthy dog or a perfect puppy from that dog, but it is a great head start.
In a later post I will analyze some example vertical pedigrees of hip dysplasia data and suggest things to look for and things to be careful about if you see them.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
What I Learned From MY DOG
I wrote this in Sept 2008 just before that year's BTCA National Specialty, and with the next National Specialty coming up in May, it still applies. I have moved on with "Devlin" to other pursuits, and we have added another CH titled BT in our household since then, but "Devlin" continues to be one of my greatest teachers, if not the best one. Sometimes we forget why they are given to us, and it's always good to reflect on what they have given us. BTW, "Devlin" has earned all his Rally titles thru RE, his SE title and is working on his CD and ME. He continues to teach me each and every day, and I thank him for the priviledge.
From Sept 2008:
With the Specialty coming up next week, many thoughts are on winning classes, finishing and earning new titles. Recently I had the opportunity to sit and reflect about my experiences in the show ring with my CH titled bitch and my unfinished dog. It struck me that while earning that coveted CH title (or any other title) is a grand moment that one never forgets for each dog, I found that I had more memories and felt more pleasure from all the things that happened along the way. It was the learning, the teaching, the dog teaching me, both of us learning together, and the little successes that make the titles happen that were my fondest memories. It's the journey, not the destination. And it's how you make that trip that counts!
A true story....
MY DOG "finished" his conformation career this weekend. No, he didn't earn his CH, and he never will. We tried and tried, but it's not in the cards for him. We have much more we want to go and do, so it was only slightly bittersweet that we made the decision to stop. After our class we were sitting with some friends near the ring and beside some other large dogs in some rather large crates. MY DOG was lying at my feet. I didn't notice but a young girl and her mother walked up and the girl came close to the large white dogs in the large crates. Unfortunately she was met with a deep, throaty growl for her trouble. When I turned to see what was happening, the girl was clutching her mother's skirt and huddled next to her. She wasn't harmed physically, but a bit shell-shocked for sure. MY DOG was watching the girl and I noticed that she was looking at him, still clutching her mom's hand and skirt. I asked if she would like to pet MY DOG. Her mom wasn't too sure, but the girl said "yes' immediately. So MY DOG got up and came over. He sat down, but she wasn't getting too close. Then MY DOG performed a few of his tricks- he begged, he rolled over and he played dead. He finished with a big smile and a "high five". By now the little girl was smiling and reached out to pet him. Her mom asked what kind of dog he was and then they left. As we sat back down, one of my friends leaned over and said. "That was a very nice thing for him to do."At that moment I knew that while MY DOG would never have his CH title, in my mind and heart, and maybe in the little girl's as well, he was already a champion. With that little episode, we moved on. Though we didn't reach the CH destination, it's one of many memories from our journey that I will always treasure.
From Sept 2008:
With the Specialty coming up next week, many thoughts are on winning classes, finishing and earning new titles. Recently I had the opportunity to sit and reflect about my experiences in the show ring with my CH titled bitch and my unfinished dog. It struck me that while earning that coveted CH title (or any other title) is a grand moment that one never forgets for each dog, I found that I had more memories and felt more pleasure from all the things that happened along the way. It was the learning, the teaching, the dog teaching me, both of us learning together, and the little successes that make the titles happen that were my fondest memories. It's the journey, not the destination. And it's how you make that trip that counts!
A true story....
MY DOG "finished" his conformation career this weekend. No, he didn't earn his CH, and he never will. We tried and tried, but it's not in the cards for him. We have much more we want to go and do, so it was only slightly bittersweet that we made the decision to stop. After our class we were sitting with some friends near the ring and beside some other large dogs in some rather large crates. MY DOG was lying at my feet. I didn't notice but a young girl and her mother walked up and the girl came close to the large white dogs in the large crates. Unfortunately she was met with a deep, throaty growl for her trouble. When I turned to see what was happening, the girl was clutching her mother's skirt and huddled next to her. She wasn't harmed physically, but a bit shell-shocked for sure. MY DOG was watching the girl and I noticed that she was looking at him, still clutching her mom's hand and skirt. I asked if she would like to pet MY DOG. Her mom wasn't too sure, but the girl said "yes' immediately. So MY DOG got up and came over. He sat down, but she wasn't getting too close. Then MY DOG performed a few of his tricks- he begged, he rolled over and he played dead. He finished with a big smile and a "high five". By now the little girl was smiling and reached out to pet him. Her mom asked what kind of dog he was and then they left. As we sat back down, one of my friends leaned over and said. "That was a very nice thing for him to do."At that moment I knew that while MY DOG would never have his CH title, in my mind and heart, and maybe in the little girl's as well, he was already a champion. With that little episode, we moved on. Though we didn't reach the CH destination, it's one of many memories from our journey that I will always treasure.
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