Don't Be Embarrassed!

I remember one of my first picnic trials. I was new, but not one bit nervous my PERFECT dog Gussi who was just a puppy, at the time, and was going to do GREAT! Gussi was a pretty good little puppy so I of course I thought that she would do great, if not perfect, like most owners think. I was soon proven wrong, like most owners of perfect puppies!

I held Gussi up off the ground so she could easily see the mark go down. And she did, she pinned it I was so proud, until she was supposed to bring the bird back to me. Gussi decided that instead of coming back to her mom, that loved her and fed her, she would not come back but run out into the water with her bird (this was not a water mark!).

After much encouragement (from me and others at this point) to get Gussi to bring me back the bird, no luck. She stayed in the water playing catch me if you can with "Her" bird! I was sooooo frustrated! My cute little puppy wasn't very cute at this point. Finally, she spit out the bird and I thought she would come in but NO, she just had to burp! After burping Gussi picked back up the bird and continued the game of not coming back! Honestly, I don't remember how I got Gussi back that day...but I'll tell you what I will never call her "Perfect" again!

Since Gussi's first picnic trial she has redeemed herself.  She has a Master Title, a Rally Excellent Title, a Canine Good Citizen Title and she has qualified for many Master Nationals.  She even helps me with dogs I have in training that are reactive. Gussi has also helped a lot of people who come out to train learn how to handle a dog by running her.  She has whelped and been a GREAT mother to 18 puppies who have all went on to be "Perfect" dogs.

I'll tell you what though, that day out in the water was not the only time Gussi would embarrass me!  While Gussi really is a GREAT dog...she likes to keep me humble.  The few embarrassing moments made all her accomplishments even better.  As I like to say, "No guts no glory!"  So spend some time training and get out there and trial your dog.  You can't do any worse then Gussi and I.

Training Tip

Many people who train on their own do not throw marks for their dog.  Or if they do they are throwing bumpers from their side while their dog sits at heel.  What you should do is have your dog sit in the field, walk out as far as you like and throw a mark for your dog.  Then you can either go back to your dog and send them or you can send them remotely from where you are sitting.  I send them remotely and then leave them sitting where they delivered the bumper and go out again and throw them another mark. You can do this multiple times; throw long marks, short marks, through cover, what ever works at the time.

AKC Rally Obedience

Often when a client is looking for something to do with their dog besides basic obedience I recommend Rally. Lately I have been recommending Rally to my Hunt Test clients and people who want to do Agility. I think it is a GREAT stepping stone to any dog sport.

So what is Rally you ask? The AKC describes it as a dog sport that offers both dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing.  The canine team moves at their own pace, through a course that includes 10- 20 stations.  (Stations are signs with obedience “moves” on them. An example, would a sign that tells you have your dog sit and stay and you walk around them.) Rally was designed for the traditional pet owner, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy high levels of competition.  The main objective of Rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs.

To be honest when I first started doing AKC Rally I thought it was kind of silly and I still think Rally is a little silly, but I have come to understand and love Rally for new competitors, dogs and people. If you are new to dog sports, no matter what your goal is, to compete in agility or to have Master Hunter, I think Rally is a GREAT place to start. Competing in Rally gets you and your dog in the ring in a fun and successful way and helps you get over your fears of competing.

Upcoming Litters

Golden Retriever Puppies Due March 23, 2011

Brim MH X Molly

Learn more about Brim and Molly.

Brim and Molly's puppies will be great for whatever you chose to do with them. If you just want a sweet loving pet you will get that with these puppies! Or if you want to hunt, do agility, or obedience competition these puppies would excel at that too! Molly had an ultra-sound on February 16th and the vet could count at least nine puppies.