APDT Rally Trial – Halloween Weekend November 4, 2011
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , add a commentJagged and I, along with 2 students and their 3 dogs, had an awesome weekend at the APDT Rally Trial hosted by “Sit Happens” in Calgary, Alberta.
It was 2 full days (12 hour days!) filled with lots of friends, fun, laughter and even a few tears. Many of us only see one another at these trials,and some have lost their beloved dogs while others have celebrated happy times including new puppies and plans for the future.
Students; Sylvia Howard (Julie – Standard Poodle) and Jenn Williams (Spencer – Jack Russell Terrier & Abby – Border Collie) had some great runs in the Level 1 & Level 2 classes! Jenn earned Level 2 titles with both Spencer and Abby!
I’m very proud of both these girls along with their wonderful dogs!
Jagged went High in Level 1B and Level 3B on Saturday, and High in Level 3B on Sunday! She was also awarded a beautiful rosette for her ARCHX Title (APDT Rally Champion Excellent). I’m most proud of her for her 6 perfect scores(210’s)over the weekend!
Our trialing season is now over and we wish everyone an awesome winter holiday and probably a much needed break! Can’t wait to see you all down the road again next spring!
Denise & Jagged
Spruce Meadows – A Lot More Dogs Than Horses! August 23, 2011
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , add a commentJagged (Montwood Arista Just Show’n Off) had an awesome weekend at the CKC Alberta Summer Classic held at Spruce Meadows (world renowned equestrian center) near Calgary, Alberta! It was also the Doberman Specialties for ADPC (Alberta Doberman Pinscher Club) and DPCC (Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada).
Jagged had a great weekend in spite of the extreme heat (high 90’s all 4 days). Viper also did 2 Rally-Obedience runs (his first time back in the ring in over a year). I decided that he could come out of retirement for the Specialty and he was thrilled to be out there “working” again!
Jagged took Rally-Obedience High in Trial with a perfect score of 100 (scored in the Advanced B class) while Viper was 3rd with 98 in that class.
Viper was High in Class in the Excellent B class with a 99 while Jagged was 2nd with a 99 and a slightly slower time (go figure!).
Jagged was also High in Trial in CKC Agility – Doberman booster) from the Intermediate Standard class. She earned her AG.I (Agility Intermediate title) in 3 straight at this trial; and also earned her NADAC (NAC) Novice Standard title her first time out running in a NADAC trial. We did 2 days of NADAC and then 2 days of CKC Agility.
Here’s a video of Jagged’s Intermediate Std. – trial 4 (Not our fastest run….day 4 in the heat and a very worn out dog at this point, but it was the run that counted!)
Denise McKay
Proud Mom of Viper and Jagged
Congratulations! July 4, 2011
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , add a commentI would like to congratulate two of my students; Sylvia Howard with her Standard Poodle “Julie”, and Kayla Smithies with her English Cocker Spaniel “Spike”, on their CKC Rally Obedience success last weekend in Cranbrook.
Both dog / handler teams earned 2 Q’s (qualifying runs / scores) in the “Rally Novice A” class. Kayla and Spike had 2 “legs” (qualifiers) from a rally trial in Lethbridge in 2009 and just needed one more Q to earn their “Rally Novice” title. And of course they did it! Sylvia and Julie earned their first 2 Q’s in the Cranbrook trial on the weekend in their very first CKC trial. This hard working team also earned their “APDT Rally Level 1” title in March. (See APDT blog article)
I am very proud of these girls and their pups! Well done!
Photo: Sylvia Howard and her Standard Poodle “Julie”
From Fernie To The Ocean and The Desert June 16, 2011
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , add a commentWith the closing of the ski hill and the ensuing muddy springtime here in Fernie, we headed out for a month long vacation south of the 49. Our first destination was Woodburn, Oregon where I trained with my Dobie girl Jagged for five days with the amazing Craig French. Although the weather was only slightly better than what we left behind, there was none of the white stuff in sight and everything was in full bloom. Oregon is absolutely beautiful!
We did 10 hours of agility training and I had the pleasure of running Craig’s Dobermans, Risty, Tristan and Kibi, along with my own girl Jagged. It was awesome training with Craig again and reviewing all of his philosophies, as we try to do once a year or so. We were also getting ready for our first AKC (American Kennel Club) agility trial, so things were pretty intense.
From there, we headed up to Auburn, Washington for the AKC trial April 30 & May 1. It was a great trial held at Argus Dog Ranch and we got to re-visit people (and dogs) we met through Craig in years past. There were several Montwood Dobermans there, all relatives of Jagged, and that was very cool!
Jagged did four runs over the weekend (a Novice “Jumper with Weaves” round and a Novice “Standard” round each day – 24″ height class). She qualified three out of four rounds which was awesome! She knocked a bar in the last Jumper round which resulted in an NQ (non-qualifying) run. I was thrilled with her performance over the weekend though, and I hope she shows that well for the rest of the season.
After all the excitement of the dog show, we drove two hours to the coast of Washington….one of our favorite places; Long Beach Peninsula, Washington. Although it was cool and a little wet, we were able to get in lots of beach walking (Viper discovered that flushing Sandpipers and running in the surf was a blast). We also did a little biking on a new trail along the peninsula. So after three days at the ocean, we were ready for some warmer weather and headed to Utah and the desert.
We were more than ready for the warm temperatures, sunny skies and red rocks of Moab, Utah. The temperatures didn’t disappoint as it was in the high 80’s! Moab is simply gorgeous along Windows and Arches Park, the Calf Creek Recreational Area, and Zion Nat. Park, all a part of our journey. After Zion, we spent five days in Vegas before heading back to Canada.
It’s always nice to come home and things are a lot greener than when we left.
The agility equipment is in the backyard now and all lessons are outside (including rally and obedience). It’s been unusually cold for this time of year and I actually have to wear mitts and several layers of clothing while teaching some mornings!
So come on out and have fun with your dog! Wear lots of layers….summer is almost here?
APDT Rally Obedience Trial – Sit Happens! March 24, 2011
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , add a commentI attended the APDT Rally Obedience Trial at Sit Happens! in Calgary, Ab, along with three students from Elkford, Fernie and Jaffray. Nervous energy ran high as it was the first trial for Dee O’Connor with Labrador – Molly, and Jenn Williams with Jack Russell – Spencer and Border Collie – Abby. For Sylvia Howard with Standard Poodle – Julie, it was her second trial, but nervousness abounded as Julie needed one more “qualifying leg” for her L1 Title and Sylvia was anxious to bump her up to Level 2 and work off-leash. Three qualifiers are needed to acquire a title in each level.
All three girls came home with their Level 1 Titles (Jenn titled both her dogs!) and I am VERY PROUD of all of them! They worked extremely hard and deserve a huge congratulations for their efforts. Dee and Molly qualified in all four rounds with the highest individual score of 200 and the highest aggregate score of our group in Level 1A.
My little Doberman girl – Jagged, performed great in spite of feeling “under the weather” with a mysterious skin ailment. She posted 2 perfect scores of 210, and very high scores in all other rounds. We were happy with those results and Jagged is now resting comfortably on a whopping dosage of Prednisone, while we wait for biopsy results from Cornell University. We’re all looking forward to the next trial in October as everyone has “caught the bug”. In the mean time, we will all get ready for agility trials in the summer months. Can’t wait!
Scent Hurdle Racing February 17, 2011
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , 1 comment so farScent Hurdle Racing is a team event with 4 members in each team. This is a challenging sport that requires a lot of training and practice.
Each dog goes in succession – like a relay race – takes 4 jumps spaced 10 feet apart, in a straight row to a “box” that is 12 feet beyond the last jump. The box holds 4 dumbells – one from each dog/handler team. The handler stays 4 feet back from the first jump, behind the start line, so the dog is 46 feet away from their handler when they are doing their scent work. The dumbells are numbered and the dogs each wear a jacket with their corresponding number. The dog attempts to pick out their own dumbell with their handler’s scent and comes back to the handler over the 4 jumps. Then the next dog is released after that dog crosses the finish line, etc. Each time the box is reloaded with a “blank dumbell” so that all 4 dogs are picking from 4 each time. There are 2 lanes of jumps with 2 teams running in each “heat”, which is where the difficulty and stress can really come in.
My young Doberman girl “Jagged” (Montwood Arista Just Show’n Off) is now a member of “Due South Team” from Southern Alberta. She is race bib #3. This was her first time running in Scent Hurdle Racing and I was thrilled with her flawless performance over the 2 days. Other team members are Molly (Poodle) #9 with Donnie; Token (German Shepherd) #7 & Drummer (Sheltie) #11 with Judi, Ryder (German Shepherd) #4 with Sharlet, Kona (Flat Coat Retriever) #2 with Judy and Lupine (Flat Coat) #8 with Liz.
Thank you to Sylvia and John Howard for your great videos and support.
Rally Obedience Trial Results February 8, 2011
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , 2commentsI was introduced to the dog sport known as rally-obedience four years ago when Viper was an 11 month old puppy. At that time, I was getting Viper ready to compete for his CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) “Pre-Companion Dog” title (PCD) when I met Judi Snowdon of Shadowbar Shepherds, and joined the Southern Alberta Working and Herding Dog Association (SAWHDA). While taking some classes with Judi and attending “drop-ins” to practice with the distraction of other dogs, I discovered the fun sport of rally-obedience. At that time the club was doing “APDT Rally” (American Pet Dog Trainers) which allows dogs of all breeds including mixed breeds.
Rally is a fun and exciting sport where each dog and handler team negotiate a course with signs that describe a particular exercise to perform. The course contains approximately 20 signs and it’s timed from the Start to Finish signs. The course is numbered and the dog / handler teams perform the exercise on the sign such as “Sit-Down-Sit”, “Spiral Right”, “Send Over Jump” or “Serpentine – Weave Once”. Of course, these are just a sample few of the 68 APDT signs. Teams are judged on accuracy of the exercise sign performed, and scored out of 210 points. Tied scores are then broken by time on course.
I soon realized that this sport was a wonderful complement to traditional “Kennel Club Obedience”. It was energetic and fun and the rules allowed for unlimited connectivity between dog and handler, and that positive connection with the dog was what really attracted me to this sport.
Young dogs who aren’t ready to compete in agility or obedience can gain trial ring experience, and old dogs that can no longer do physically demanding sports such as agility, can compete in this sport. When our Doberman girl “Tamsen” could no longer do agility because of a spinal cord problem, I was able to give her a fun activity to do with me by involving her in Rally.
Viper, our 5 year old male Doberman has earned his APDT Rally – Level 3 title (highest level) with an “Award Of Excellence” and he is an APDT Rally Champion Excellent (ARCHX Title). He is ranked #2 in Canada for 2010.
Jagged, our 3 ½ year old female Dobie, also has her Level 3 with an “Award Of Excellence” and she has her APDT Rally Champion (ARCH Title). She is ranked #1 in Canada for 2010.
Both dogs also have their CKC Rally Excellent titles.
On October 30 & 31, 2010, I attended an APDT Rally Trial in Calgary, AB. at “Sit Happens” (the trial hosting club) with Viper and Jagged. We had an outstanding weekend and their accomplishments were as follows:
Jagged (ARCH. Montwood Arista Just Show’n Off) is ranked #1 (in Canada)
Viper (ARCHX. Karlee’s Just To Satisfy You) is ranked #2 (in Canada)
I’m looking forward to the next rally trial in March when I will be joined by four of my students and their wonderful canine partners. One of these students has already earned her Level 1 title and will compete for her Level 2. Three of these students will compete for their Level 1 titles. Best of luck to all!
For detailed rankings click here.
Considering A New Puppy Or Dog? January 22, 2011
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , 1 comment so farAre you considering adding a canine companion to your life, or adding to your existing pack? Before you decide what breed to get, you should first determine whether or not you have the time, energy and financial resources to be a responsible and deserving dog owner. You can then decide on the perfect breed (or mixed breed) to fit into your life.
I was enchanted by Dobermans at a very young age and looking back, I can honestly say I knew very little about the breed when I bought my first puppy. I was certainly captivated by the beauty, grace and intelligence of this breed but I knew very little about “working dogs” and the commitment it would take to raise this puppy successfully. I learned a lot about Dobermans as my sweet little black boy “Sidney” grew into 80 pounds of pure energy and frustration. That frustration was shared by both of us because I didn’t understand that two long walks or runs per day simply weren’t enough to meet the needs of this dog, and he didn’t understand why I got so upset when he destroyed the bedding and furniture! Comforters and blankets were his personal favourites! I then got involved in obedience classes at the suggestion of the breeder and that helped immensely. After that, I started him in Schutzhund training (combining obedience, tracking and guard work). Like magic, my boy Sidney settled down and became the amazing companion I had hoped for. This was a breed from the “working group” of canines and once his needs were met, both physically and mentally, life was awesome!
If you have previously shared your life with a canine, then you’re aware of the commitment it takes, however; if this will be your first dog then you need to ask yourself the following questions:
• Do I have the time and energy a dog will require to be well balanced, healthy and therefore, happy?
• Will I be a responsible dog owner who has respect for others; cleaning up after my dog (Yes! Even on the trails!)
• Will I take the time to train my dog and prevent him/her from becoming a nuisance to others, recognizing that not everyone appreciates an off-leash dog approaching them (friendly or otherwise)?
• Do I have an appropriate home with a well fenced yard for a dog?
• Do I have the financial means to properly care for a dog? Can I afford proper nutrition, veterinarian care such as spaying or neutering, vaccinations, de-worming, etc.? What if this dog needs emergency treatment?
If you can honestly answer yes to all of those questions, then you’re ready for the next step; choosing the right dog for you (and your family).
Whether you’re considering a mixed breed or a specific breed of puppy or adult dog, you will need to think about all aspects of your purchase or adoption. Choosing a dog that will fit your lifestyle can be a daunting task.
It’s all too easy to fall in love with a breed that simply doesn’t fit your lifestyle. Many breeds became popular based on an image portrayed by Hollywood. Dalmations, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas are just a few examples of breeds popularized by movies. Some dogs turn up in shelters after they don’t live up to their Hollywood image and expectations.
With over 300 breeds to choose from, and an infinite number of mixed breeds, it can take a bit of time and research to find the right match. This is time well spent!
Dog breeds fall into the following basic groups: sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting and herding. Consider the size of dog you’re interested in, the temperament, the traits of that breed (this also applies to mixed breeds), exercise requirements, the original intention of that breed and fulfilling their mental and physical needs, grooming requirements and possible breed related health issues.
Remember that sporting breeds like to hunt, working dogs need a “job”, hounds (scent and sight hounds) like to track and hunt, and herding dogs need to be kept busy and they’re happiest when herding and working. Many of these dogs can find an outlet for their energy in dog sports such as obedience, tracking, agility, rally, fly-ball, scent work, lure coursing, tunneling, etc., and it’s up to you to find a way to meet the mental and physical needs of your chosen dog.
So….please take the time to do your “homework” and be sure that your chosen puppy or dog will be your companion for the rest of his or her life, and not another victim in a shelter.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! December 23, 2010
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What is Agility, Rally and Obedience December 14, 2010
Posted by admin in : Denise's Blog , add a commentAgility is a fast paced exciting sport for dogs and their handlers. Dog and handler teams run a course consisting of jumps, tunnels, weave poles and contact obstacles, and are judged on both accuracy and time. Agility is a great way to exercise your dog, physically and mentally, and it creates a bond between you and your dog (or puppy).
Rally (also known as Rally-Obedience) is a fun and exciting team sport for dogs and their handlers. Teams navigate a course with numbered signs indicating different exercises to perform such as “sit-down-sit”, “straight figure 8”, “send over jump”, etc. This event is scored on accuracy of performance and on course time. As in agility, it is an excellent way to engage your dog or puppy, both physically and mentally while strengthening the bond between you.
Obedience is both an everyday discipline and a competitive event. Although many obedience commands such as sit, down, stay, come and heel may apply to everyday life; they may also be seen in the competition ring.
I start all my puppies in all disciplines, from the age of 8 weeks when they first come to their new home. They are housebroke within the first week using the crate training method. They are socialized in safe, varied settings. They learn the basics of agility, rally and obedience, all by positive reinforcement and clicker training methods, and are fulfilled mentally and physically, thereby becoming companions that are easy to live with. These puppies do not tend to develop destructive behaviors because they are raised in a positive, interactive, loving environment. They are fed a biologically appropriate raw food diet which satisfies their natural chewing needs and properly nourishes their growing bodies.