Congratulations!!

I just wanted to say congrats to Pam and Cruise (see earlier in this blog to read about them) for taking the plunge and entering their first CPE agility trial! They managed 2 first place finishes with 2 clean rounds!! Way to go!! Check out their runs on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9FHMdnPEfI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBl3Rossdo8

Season's Greetings

I just wanted to wish all my students and clients a wonderful holiday season, and new year!!

Cruise

I have really enjoyed using this blog as a place to let people tell the world about their wonderful dogs! Here is Cruise another dog who is called a once in a lifetime by owner Pam.

Cruise was born in Stouffville, Ontario and is one of six puppies in a litter of Longhaired Whippets. He was born March 9th, 2004. His registered name is Renaissance Mystic Cruise. Funny how he got his name; Pam wanted a second dog, her husband said "No" but he wanted a boat, so a deal was struck and together they got a boat cruise!

He has earned his Rare Breed Championship and is only 1 point away from getting his Rare Breed Grand Championship with the Rare Breed Club of South Western Ontario. He is a Multiple Best in Specialty winner and only needs two more points to get his LWA (Longhaired Whippet Association) Championship. He also has his TT (Temperament Test), HIC (Herding Instinct Certificate), and his CGN (Canine Good Neighbour).

Cruise also has a few racing titles to his name. He runs tracks in 200 yrd. Straight and 350 yrd. Oval races and enjoys this very much!

Cruise is an intact male and has 8 puppies on the ground. Five are longhaired whippets,and 3 were from an oops with a friends standard poodle!!

Pam and Cruise have been doing agility for 2 years but just started with me this summer. They are hoping to trial next year, and I will be rooting for them!! They are a great team!

Here Comes Tumbleweed!!

I have to start this post by saying that it's true that you should never judge a book by it's cover. Meet Tumbleweed or when he wants to get technical Amonvhar's Yosemite Sam, a Petit Bassett Griffon Vendeen or better known as PBGV. They are a variation of the Bassett Hound, bred to be more agile and with a dense coat for working in the underbrush.

Tumbleweed has come up to do some agility even though he and his three housemates (Bentley, Whimzee and Sass) are all members of the Superdog performance team. Tumbleweed has also done obedience and trick classes, but agility is his favorite!

He came to live with his owner Shannon when he was 8 weeks old back in March 2007. He flew in from his breeders in Calgary on the red eye. His father was a Finnish and American Champion.

Well I have to admit I had my preconceived ideas about Tumbleweed being an agility dog as he is a very long bodied, short legged hound. Serves me right because you should see him fly!! He has tons of drive, is remarkably athletic for his build and is so happy working!! Look for him at the Superdog shows!!

Youu should also check out Shannon's website!! She is a local artist, well known in the dog world for her custom portraits, logos and book illustrations!!

Agility Fun Day

Yesterday was the Art of Dog Agility Fun Day for the agility students!! A fair number were able to make it out for a great day to play!! Thank you all for coming out this season and soon we start the indoor winter classes!! Unfortunately I only managed to get a few photos!!! Sorry! Send me pics of your dogs and I will add them!!!

Say Hello to Ranger

Meet Ranger, and Jocelyn. Ranger is a 2 year old Brittany Spaniel from a litter of 10 puppies. He is an extremely happy, spirited dog full of personality.
He is also a very athletic dog that will soon make a great agility dog! Ranger is also training in field work and completed many different obedience and clicker courses as a younger dog. He also loves to go hiking, canoeing and swimming. Chasing deer and small game is also something Ranger likes to get the chance to do!!
Jocelyn has taught Ranger how to ring a bell with his nose to go outside, as well how to play Nintendo wii!!!
What else does Jocelyn say about Ranger? Apparently he is a great fly catcher and rids the house of any unwanted insects. He is also the fastest dog at the dog park, coaxing other dogs to chase him and then leaving them in the dust. It is my guess that he will one day be able to leave the other dogs at the trials in his dust as well!! Hope to see them out there soon!

Meet Lance

And of course to meet Lance is to meet his owner Stephanie!! I know them from teaching them at Scholars in Collars and now they are doing agility classes with me at my house. They are a great pair!

Lance is a four year old, fearless German Shepherd that is keen to work and has been doing some sort of training with Stephanie since she got him as a puppy. He also enjoys hiking, swimming, learning tricks and playing with his dog friends. He was apparently the lowest drive puppy in his litter (of twelve!) but I certainly can not imagine that!! He wants to work and loudly lets us all know about it when he shows up for class!

Lance is also a blood donor, a "universal" donor. Lance is allergic to cats, but it doesn't stop him from chasing them. He also has other allergies that he receives shots for.

According to Stephanie, Lance has been very trustworthy and quiet, uncrated in the house from a young age. The only thing he will get into is removing (but not breaking) dirty dishes from the sink and "washing" them until they sparkle. He has taught Stephanie to do all the dishes before going to work!

Lance is a fun dog with a very devoted owner that I enjoy teaching. I think he and Stephanie could have a lot of fun on the trial field as well. Hopefully we see them out there soon!!