A bit of play time in the snow

We're heading into what is rumored to be potentially the biggest snow storm recorded since 1985 or something like that (by biggest, it means the most snowfall recorded at SeaTac Airport) Whatever.... because everyone is making such a big deal about this, we likely won't have any snow at all. ;)

Koenig and I spent a fair bit of time outside today in the bitter cold. Kids wanted to go out in the snow at 8:30 AM.... lol. ;)

Here are a few short videos today. Some heeling, some fetch, and some of Kylie bossing Koenig around.

Heeling



Fetch
(With lots of me talking to my dog, for my buddy JD! hahah!)

Kylie bossing around the brindle. He's getting tired (after an hour of fetch/heeling/etc), and being less then cooperative with her. Normally, he'll out for her! Such a good dog!

Schutzhund!!

In a drive, ignore me- Im just trying to stay the hell out of the way!

Amazing! 2 weeks in a row, it was fantastic!

I didn't go to the club for tracking- we had company over, so I stayed home and had a nice family breakfast. :)

OB was... entertaining to start with. It's the first snow of the year (hell, last year too!) and Koenig L O V E S the snow. He had about 0 interest in OB, especially doing bench work (stepping on and off benches for hind end awareness, stationary position changes on the bench) and would have much preferred to snuffle around in the snow. Goofy brindle!

Eventually, I got his attention back up on me- at least a larger % then what he was giving to the fluffy white stuff. The bench work was funny at first. Koenig LIVES to jump. Why bother stepping up on the little 1' high bench, when he can JUMP, and LEAP, and BOUNCE onto it? Ugh. I attempted to slow him, by taking his collar, and guiding his feet up one at a time, asking 'step' with each foot. It got better after a few reps, but occasionally would end up with the brindle butt launching off one side, as I attempt to grab the 80lb dog out of mid air, and place him back up onto the bench. I got a laugh out of it, and I'm fairly sure we entertained the club-mates as well. It was minority successful by the end of the session, so we'll work more at home. Position changes on the bench were nice, and he's not bopping around so much- more comfortable staying stationary (helped that I was using food, not a toy, so he wasn't sky high in drive), and holding the position I asked for.

Did some heeling, started average, with his focus lacking, and improved to some pretty nice heeling by the end. Backed through the weave poles, which I think went much better then last week! (Video here, you'll probably have to be my FB friend to see it. I can try to get the person who took it to stick it on YouTube for me though!)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=306383456063730

REVIER! (Yes! Yes! Yes!)

Protection was even better then I expected with our new bestfriend-decoy! Gosh, he's awesome. He just KNOWS what each dog needs, and how to get the best out of each and every dog! Koenig's revier was NICE, for a dog who's been out of bite work for over a month! (minus the work last week, of course) Didn't have blinds today, so we'll likely re-start the blind search next week, and working on staying clean in the blind. I've moved Koenig back in to harness in protection. He seems to strain to breath/bark much more in a collar (even a big, wide, padded Agitation collar), and I've got a harness, so I'm back to using it. I know that some people see it as a crutch, or as unnecessary. Ultimately, the goal is a dog working free of leash/collar/harness, so I guess I don't really have an issue accommodating him and using a harness. I guess my other reasoning, (as much as an excuse as it may sound like) is he's built different then the majority of GSD's out there that dominate the sport. Koenig is a belgian breed. He's lean, he's long and lanky. His neck is a mile long ( and if you've ever seen him get squirrley in a long down, you know exactly what I mean!)... anatomically, that means he's going to Trachea is going to be closer to the surface. He's going to be a bit more prone to a collapsed trachea, and breathing problems could be exacerbated by putting extreme amounts of pressure on his neck. With that said, I suppose some people might say he's not suited for the work. I disagree. Koenig will work in a collar. He'll work in a flat, fursaver or pinch. He does not care. Last week, we had an equipment malfunction, and his fursaver was actually choking him.... he didn't understand, and was obviously worried about the feeling, and coming back to me rather then charging in for a bite, but the dog still wanted to work! He couldn't take a breath, but he was still trying his damnedest! (Got it fixed, and he was back to his normal wild self in short order.)I dunno. I'm totally rambling. Today, he worked in a harness with a agitation collar on as well. I used 2 lines, and for any pulling work the pressure was on the harness.

Niiiicccceeeee grip, brindle buddy! 

To help him carry, and for a leash correction I used the collar line. I figure if I can handle a horse in a double bridle, then I should realistically be able to handle 2 6-8' leashes on my dog. I didn't fall down, and my boy had a NICE couple of runs carrying the sleeve! (Did I mention I love this decoy? We're getting full solid grips, a good revier, and our out is coming back)

Pictures. :) Thanks to Richard, for braving the cold, with the kids, to take some pics for me! <3

And we have a carry!!

More Revier

Great day. :)

Herding Brindle Doggy!

No, no new herding news right now.... but herding hopes!

I've talked with my go-to smart woman that has titled many herding dogs, and she's also (conveniently) the lady that's worked Koenig on stock the most. In March, my SchH club (Wait... that's IPO club now, I suppose) is hosting it's annual Herding Instance/Capability Test. Above the HCT title is the JHD. Junior Herd Dog. I'd REALLY like Koenig to eventually be a well rounded (titled) dog, and have worked in several different areas by the time he's old and broken. Schutzhund (or COURSE!) Agility, herding, weight pull, possibly carting, with the help of my superduper herding lady friend. In agility he's got an obvious talent, and I've been told (by my super-duper friend) that he has what it takes in herding as well. This gal has told me that she thinks he could be a Herd Trial Champion, eventually.... That is something NO Dutch Shepherd has EVER done before!!! :D How cool would that be!

SO, Herding test in March. This is going to mean weekly, or bi-weekly trips out to our herding place once they reopen at the end of January. As broke as I am, if I save my tips, I can afford it.... and it sure would be neat to add another title to my 2 yr old, rescued dog's resume.

What do you all think? Those of you with 'working' dogs- do you have any interest in titling them anywhere other they your proclaimed area of interest?

Why'd you put away my sheep, Joe? I wasn't done yet!!!!

Can't tire the beast

The problem with upping a Dutch Shepherd's exercise, to make him more fit.....

is that then he's in fantastic shape, and requires more exercise to maintain a level of sanity. Damn.

I swear, I just can't win!!! I upped his exercise a few weeks back, and now I can't make the damn dog tired. Yesterday he got PLENTY of exercise, AND a track. (I was off work) he still wouldn't lay down, and just be calm in the house. All night long he was pacing, following me, doing the Dutchie stare down at both myself and my cat. Ugh!!!

I so need my own treadmill for the dog.

Park Ranger Anderson, you will not be forgotten.

This has nothing to do with Dutch Shepherds, dog training, or pets in general. It is incredibly important to me though.

1/1/2012 was a terrible day to start the new year, for all First Responders. That would be Police, Rangers, Fire Fighters, EMT/Paramedics, and so on.

Mount Ranier National Park Ranger Elizabeth Anderson was shot in the line of duty.

Today, we were honored to watch the procession to her Memorial service being held at Pacific Lutheran University, 5 short minutes from my home. Richard's Fire Department was represented by the Police, and by the Volunteer Fire Fighters, driving the Wildland rig.

Please, take 13 minutes out of your day to honor the memory of Ranger Anderson. Her husband is also a park ranger, and she has 2 children. She will NOT be forgotten, for what she gave.

We were LONG over due for yesterday!

Holy cow, I can sum up yesterday pretty easily. FANTASTIC.

I got to the field a bit late, with 2 7yr old boys in tow (Oh boy, were they excited! Almost as excited as the dog!) It turned out to be a tiny group... for most of the day, it was another club member and his stunning (smart) male GSD. He was one of the club members to pass the B in October with Koenig. A new gal was there as well, with her adorable 12 week old GSD pup. A small group was a surprise, we were expecting many more members and dogs, but it worked out to my benefit! Less people = more one on one time with the TD! :D

Tracking:

My brilliant TD said 'We're going to fool his goofy ass!' and had me lay the track 90' to the left of the direction I approached it. :D Hahah. It sure did fool him for a moment! He checked again carefully, and hit it, with a nice deep nose. I was using canned lamb tripe as my bait... nice and STINKY! I had one small piece (Smear) on my scent pad, and the nothing on the first leg of the track to the 1st corner. After the first corner about 8' out, I started putting some food down every 3-11 steps, totally random. No food on the second corner (of course) and food again on the last long gentle curve to the article. I realize it's not a complicated track by any means, but he did well on the 2 corners... ESPECIALLY the second corner which people had walked within 5' of, and there was a Aussie pup getting pictures taken like 10 feet away from the corner as he was working it!!! I don't track often enough, and I know this. Hopefully, with the encouragement I got from this track on Sunday, I'll get out at least twice this week to track him. He can't get better unless I lay him a track to work.

Obedience:
Fun, Fun, Fun! I'm working on rewarding Koenig in position. I've developed some bad habits, and really need to get back to basics working on precision both from my dog, and myself. Did some normal heeling to 'warm up' and then heeled through a set of weave poles. (spaced farther apart then agility weaves) Up next... backwards heeling! We got in a couple good steps, so went 50' or do backwards, with no fence around to keep the brindle one straight. He didn't stay in position as well as I would have liked, or as well as he does at home... but when do things ever happen at training with people watching like they happen at home?? :D We progressed to backwards weaving... that was fun! Koenig swung wide, and somehow managed to straddle one of the stakes- he stayed in a very nice position after that incident! It had him a bit spooked. LOL. Pretty funny to watch though. Finished up with showing the TD the progress we've made on Koenig's 'Bring' (retrieve). I think she was pleased, and that's always nice to see from someone who's been in the sport for 30 years, and really knows her dogs! Also did some position change work, and got conformation of exactly what I know I need to fix... stationary! Don't MOVE, just stand/sit/down!! Goofy dog.

Protection:
Yippee! Yippee! We have a helper! We have a helper!!! Not just A helper, but a GOOD one! In 2 short sessions, he got Koenig into a fairly straight, fairly steady Revier (Bark and Hold), and rewarded him at JUST the right time! He had nice bites, with full grips for the most part (that is, when he wasn't being a dope, and working his way up the sleeve to the elbow...) The new helper got me to the point of being able to help Koenig with his carry of the sleeve, which has always been a challenge for both of us. Koenig wants to drop to the ground and kill it, I want him to run in a giant circle with me, carrying it.... but I can't pull as hard as he can. ;)

To top off all the great training, the boys were outstanding. Well behaved, didn't bother me when I was busy, and got along well. Yay!

Again, FANTASTIC day.

Where do I sign up for a repeat on next Sunday?

Is YOUR dog muzzle trained?

I do not mean in muzzle fighting (but that is on my list to train after Koenig's bite work is 100% solid) but I mean to wear a muzzle. For some pre-determined period of time, without the muzzle causing stress, or anxiety? My dog is. :)


I muzzle trained Koenig for several reasons. First and formost, I did it to stop the brindle beast from destroying my car. :( separation anxiety is a terrible thing. My jerk dog chewed through my seat belts at least 3 times! Terrible! I can't fit a crate in my itsy bitsy car, and I can't leave him home 100% of the time, so the only reasonable solution was to get a muzzle. Sturdy enough to withstand any attempts of the beast to escape, yet he still needed to be able to open his mouth and pant. A plastic basket muzzle worked for all of a day or two. He managed to chew through a corner. (determined Dutch!)

Koenig also broke a tooth. While trying to escape his crate, he broke his lower canine.(thank you, separation anxiety) For a dog who competes in a sport involving teeth/biting, this really sucks!! Before we got his SA under control, buy after the busted tooth incident, he wore his muzzle in the crate while I was at work.

I knew I had an interest in eventually training him to muzzle fight, and a basket muzzle wouldn't work for that, so I went ahead and invested in a 'real' agitation muzzle. Leather, steel insert in the nose for rigidity, wool felt padded, brass hardware.


That is how Koe ended up with a bad ass Hannibal Lector muzzle.

There are reasons to muzzle train a dog that does not ordinarily have a need for one though.

What if... Let's say.... Your dog get hit by a car. :( Dogs that are in pain can be very unpredictable. There is a chance, in moving an injured dog that you'll get bit. I know that I can muzzle my dog, and he won't SPAZ OUT, from the unusual feeling on his face. Once a dog is muzzled you can handle them in relative safety.

I can't tell you how many dogs we have to muzzle at work (a groom shop) and the dogs go whacky trying to dig/scratch/paw the muzzle off. It does feel restrictive, but with a little positive training (marker training works every time!!!) any dog can be comfortable in a muzzle.

I suggest everyone goes out and gets a cheap basket muzzle, and spends a few minutes everyday feeding treats to your dog while it's wearing a muzzle. (some dogs may need you to go slower, and begin with market training a 'touch' to the muzzle, before just shoving it on their nose! ;) ( email/message me if you need he'll with desensitizing this)

Bad doggy owner...

I'm a terrible working dog Mom some days. I can say it does not happen too terribly often, but there are SOME days where I just don't have it in me to work the beast.

It's been an exceptionally long week at work so far.(is it really on Thursday?? I work this Sat, which means I still have 2 days left to go... yikes...) I leave the house by 8, and I have not gotten home before 6 any night this week. Getting home at 6pm means I've got a brindled dog that REALLY has to pee, and 2 kids who need showers, homework help, reading help, and I should probably feed them as well. Makes for busy, long evenings.

Koenig is a blessing, in so many ways. He's a jackass too, at times- but he's such a darn good dog most days. Today, he's not going to get a think from me other then some pets/cuddles (he's very lovable/cuddly), potty time outside, dinner, a toy to play with on his own (normally verboten in the house) and an extra stuffed Kong to keep him occupied.

Wanna know what is best about this whole situation? He's gonna be OK with it. He won't bounce off the walls TOOOOOOO high (he is always bouncing off the walls to some degree), and he'll still love me just as much as the days he gets 5+ hours of attention, exercise, and training.

I <3 THIS DOG

I can honestly day I've dreamed for 15+ years about owning a dog JUST like my Koenig. Are there some qualities I won't demand in my next sport puppy? Sure. Are there some things (very few) that I dislike about Koenig? Sure. Do the goods outweigh the bads? HELL YES, by a landslide.


BH obedience routine, beautiful heeling!

Kicking ass, and taking names herding sheep for the FIRST time ever. 

Raw fed teeth. :)

Taken the very first day I met Koenig. Literally, it was love at first sight. 

I know, I know... he had a Gentle Leader on... I hate those things with a passion (and it nearly broke his neck!)...  Prongs/Chokes were strictly NOT allowed at the farm, and I needed SOMETHING to control him. He was one wild man, at a year old with no obedience. As you can see though, to balance out that wild man, was a 1yr old DS that was just looking for a partner. Someone to trust, and someone to work for. I'm learning with him, he's learning with me. (He is my first 'real' working/sport dog) He's generous enough to forgive my blundering errors, and still love me all the same. :) I'm done being sappy now. Time to get back to the real world, and the rest of my evening. Give all your dogs a extra cuddle/hug/pet!

Oh, the terrible terrible things I do to my dog...

Exactly what the title says... :) This is (was) a rubber touch pad/grain bucket. I cut out the bottom to use as a flat touch pad. The remaining wall is a fantastic toy, according to Koenig. It's also incredibly durable. Better yet, it fits over his head, and up his back legs, over his hips. :D

The video is crappy and dark, but I still find it incredibly funny. :)

SCHUTZHUND IS COMING, SCHUTZHUND IS COMING!!

My club took a little break over the holiday. Several of us have small kiddos, and were going to be busy! We're back at our regular schedule on Sunday, and I'm STOKED. It's been far too long since I've tracked my dog... so tracking will be interesting. Obedience hopefully will be fun as our TD (Training Director) has some fun stuff planned (such as heeling backwards through weave poles!). We've got a new/different decoy, so Koenig will have a good time getting back onto a sleeve. Yay! Yippee!! Hurrah!!! Did I mention I'm excited?

Today I got off work exceptionally early, and had some fun stuff planned for my boy. Until I walked outside to find the weather SUCKED. Thank you, NorthWest Washington winters. You're gross. I hate you. It was low 50's, breezy, and WET. Yuck. Koenig had to make due with our normal Train-Play, Play-Train routine. (Not that he has an issue with this!! We worked on positions, and a little heeling interspersed with lots and lots of fetch to make the brindle house-safe again.

So, what happens when you wimp out of the training plans for the day, and are super excited for SchH?

My bag is all packed for Sunday (like it nearly always is, I keep most of my go-to dog training gear in a duffle bag. Everything else gets to live in several rubbermaid totes in the storage closet. What I realized I hadn't done for awhile was made training treats!

Training treats. It's a super complicated procedure. ;) I chop up a little of all Koenig's super yummy treats, into tiny, pencil eraser sized bits. (and if you're treat collection is anything like mine, it can mean a lot of chopping)

Rubbermaid of doggy treats. 

There is no way I'm going to spend the time chopping up some of everything, so I generally choose 10 or so types of treats. Grain-free, and soft are generally the picks. (99% of what I buy is grain free anyhow. Sometimes I just make an 'oops' purchase and don't check the label) Soft+ Small is best is training treats, because any time your dog slows down to chew you're going to loose his focus. He's thinking about chewing the yummy crunchy treat you just gave him. If it's small, and soft, he'll just swallow whole, and be ready for whatever is coming next! (or, if you own a Koenig-like dog, they swallow anything whole and don't chew, so I can use some crunchy things as well. Makes for more variety, I guess)

Selection of the night. 

I always add some kibble to his mix. Since he's got such a high food drive, he's not disappointed by a treat 'only' being a piece of dog food. When it's kept in a baggie in the fridge with yummy things like freeze dried liver, Z filets, cheese, and turkey lunch meat, it all takes on a delicious flavor- so Koenig tell me)

All chopped up!

I dump all of this, plus the kibble into a big bowl and mix it. This batch made just enough to fill up 2 quart size zip locks, which is several treat pouches worth!! :D 

Done!

Stick it in the fridge, and if you can't use it all before the cheese petrifies, or the turkey molds, you've got problems. ;) 

I'm off to go do another round of fetch. Probably won't have much OB this go round, since it's dark, cold, and nasty outside. Combine that with me being a weenie, and having 2 rowdy kids putting off bedtime, and it's gonna be bare minimum for the brindle one tonight. 

Time, where has it gone?

So it's becoming pretty obvious to me that this blog isn't going to be a daily chronicle of our training. Apparently I just don't have that kind of time! I swear I'm working/training my dog more then I post on here.

Yesterday we went out to Ft Steilacoom park- a lovely local park, to let the kids play and work my dog some. Kids were at the playground, and I was working Koenig around the outside, doing OB and playing fetch (pretty high value reward for him). After I'd worked him 10 min or so, I realized that a small group of people were totally staring at us. Ft. Steilacoom has some pretty snotty people that like to call the cops about dogs off leash, so I kept Koenig close for the next few minutes, just doing OB. Eventually, one of the guys yells out to me "Are you a handler?" This really made me laugh. In the sense he meant, no, I am not a handler. He was asking if I was a Military woking dog, or Police K-9 handler. When I laughed, and said "Thanks for the compliment, but no, I'm not." He asked if Koe was a K-9. :) I explained that he's not, he's just a pet, and we train in a sport called Schutzhund, he came over and said he used to be a MWD handler, for 20 years, and I "have a very very fine animal right there" (as he points to the blazing brindle going after his ball). Pretty high compliments, IMO. I have a great amount of respect for K9 handlers, and the dogs. To be compared with one, in that mans eyes was flattering. Made me grin, as I worked my dog, enjoying all the stupid stuff he was offering me.

I got a couple short, fairly dark videos of him. It was all pretty basic OB. I'm going to bring touch pads out today when I work him, and start to get picky on stationary position changes.






I'm off to train with a friend now. Someone who's got experience in SchH, Herding, Agility, and AKC OB. I'm stoked. :) I feel like I'm totally taking advantage of her knowledge!