Down the homestretch...

Seeker by Cindy Noland

Seeker is in the homestretch towards his MACH. Only 3 more QQs to go! I am hoping that he does the same thing Piper did and skips the whole "19" and "19 1/2" clubs. This will be his 3rd agility championship to date. We are also working on his USDAA Bronze ADCH and his CPE C-ATCH. When he's older, we'll go back and pick up his USDAA PDCH too. Although AKC is the most prevalent and accessible locally, it isn't my favorite. USDAA has that place and I look forward to competing at Cynosport with him again. I am hoping to get on a competitive team who wants to have fun! My guess it that this will be our last agility national for any venue because I have other things I want to do with him, including getting him back to herding lessons. He enjoys agility, but he doesn't eat, sleep and dream it like Piper does. He does that with herding... So onward and upward towards that MACH!

Gem turns 2!!

Gem at 9 weeks

Gem turns 2 years old today... I can't believe that she is already 2. As the old cliche' says... Where has the time gone? In the last 2 years, I've learned a great deal about Gem. She has made me a better, more patient trainer. I found out that in the beginning, I pushed her too hard and too fast to learn what I wanted her to learn. This caused Gem to stop trying when she wasn't right the first time, disconnect from me, and relieve her own stress by grabbing a toy and running away. It got so bad that I thought she might do better with someone else. I wanted her to be happy.

Gem at 2 years

So, I had to figure out how to teach Gem without
overwhelming her. I had to go back to square one
and begin anew. She is soft... very soft. She is still immature, but is slowly growing up. She likes to think about things and doesn't readily offer behaviors. I had to teach her that it was okay to guess and even if she wasn't always correct, it was okay to keep trying. She's gotten much better since I came to the realization that she needed me to teach her differently. It isn't because she is a female. It is because of who she is and how she learns. We have made leaps and bounds of progress since I changed my tactics with her. She still doesn't like to be wrong, but she now understands that it's okay to be wrong and try again. She still doesn't offer multiple behaviors, but she IS trying and she is much more relaxed with guessing incorrectly.

She loves to "perch". Now that I am teaching her a 2 on 2 off behavior for the dogwalk and teeter, she is learning that she needs to use her back feet. Her first try was amusing. She put her front feet on the board, smiled and wagged her tail. Ta da! Oops... not quite what I wanted. Instead of her shutting down, I lured her into position and clicked. I could see her wheels turning. I tossed a piece of cheese away from the board and she stepped over it, placing her back feet on it. I clicked and treated her for getting it right. She was happy, relaxed and having a blast. I don't drill her. She does a few repetitions and we move on to something new or something she already knows. This is what works for us.

I am looking forward to someday competing with her in agility. I had to give myself a reality check when I started seeing dogs younger then her competing this year. Well, I don't have equipment in my yard, I work another job, so our time will come. It may not be for another year or more and that's okay. I know we will still go through learning curves, but I hope when we do start competing, she will be mature and hopefully won't go through the baby dog stuff I see with other dogs. I know I will make mistakes. However, I know that we are building a wonderful relationship and that she is having fun while she is learning. That is the most important thing to me.

Happy Birthday to our little Gem! We love you so much and we are so happy to be your family. Thank you Vickie for choosing her for us. She is so loved!!









Losses

Piper

Recently, over the last few days and weeks, quite a few dogs have been lost, most due to illness or old age or even both. In truth, it scares me. Each birthday brings me closer to my own loss. Our dogs are on earth for such a short time. My goal is to make their lives as wonderful as possible while they are here. I have always prided myself in finding what the dogs love to do, and pursuing it with gusto. Piper's joy is agility. I would love to see him be able to do agility until the day he dies, but I know at some time, I will have to retire him from the sport he so dearly loves. After a friend lost his litterbrother at the age of 8 to cancer, every day with Piper is precious. At this time, I can't imagine my life without him in it... his smile, his snoring, his hugs, his snuggles, his woo-wooing, his zest for life. I just can't imagine him not being here.

His soul his old and wise beyond his years... His eyes are the very mirror into that soul. He has the most honest eyes I have ever encountered. Piper doesn't lie. When he is happy, the world knows it. When he is unhappy, the world knows that too. He tells it like it is. If he loves you, he does it with his whole self. He has never met anyone he hasn't loved. He's charming. Even people who don't like dogs seem to like Piper. In that, he reminds me of the late, great Kastle... Kastle could charm just about anybody. Piper is the same way.

Most people, if they are lucky, have one once-in-a-lifetime dog. I have been blessed to say that each and every one of my dogs has the distinction of being that. Each dog has their own personality and temperament. Each dog has their own way of being in my heart. Each one of them is my heart dog. Some are a bit more special than others, but no more loved. Each dog has a different purpose in life. Each dog is here for a different reason. I do believe that dogs come in to our lives for a special purpose and reason. If we open our hearts and minds to the lessons they have to teach, we are raised above being normal humans. We are the chosen that have the unconditional love that only a dog can give.

Each day is a gift. Each step to the line is a gift. I cherish every single moment. My heart is heavy for my friends that have endured recent losses of their dogs. I hope they are able to see through the pain of the loss and bring forward the sweet memories. I hope that I can remember that when it is my turn. Until then, I will so completely enjoy every minute of every day with these special sentient beings...

Age is only a number...

Piper's 1st perfect CPE weekend

Piper will be 10 in April. I've noticed that he is slowing down, but still keen for the game of agility. I have been thinking about retiring him from agility and letting him do rally or another less strenuous retirement sport. Somehow, I don't think he would put up with my decision. This past weekend, he earned his very first perfect CPE weekend, qualifying 10 of 10 runs with 6 firsts, 2 seconds and 2 thirds running in Veterans. He is jumping 16" in most venues, with a rare venture into 20" or 22". He qualified for CPE Nationals at the 20" jump height and since he is only running a few runs a day over several days, I'm okay with him competing there at that height. He still needs one more Performance Relay Pairs Q towards his LAA Bronze in USDAA where he must jump 22". Since it's only 1/2 of a course, I'm okay with this too. I see how comfortable and happy he is running at 16".

I worry about him, I won't lie. He gets regular chiropractic care, acupuncture and massage therapy too. These people are integral in keeping not only him, but all of the dogs healthy. They all know them probably as well, or close to it, as I do. I worry that his rear will weaken like I've seen so many dogs do and he won't physically be able to play agility any longer. My "team" thinks I worry too much. I probably do. These dogs are here for such a short time, that I want to make sure that I do everything possible to keep them happy and healthy while they are here on earth.

As long as Piper wants to play, we will do just that. Ribbons are nice, but his smile, wagging tail and woo-wooing is the best reward for me. There may come a day that he is no longer able to play the game, but I hope that day is far away. Until then, we'll just keep having fun.

Gem is learning!

Gem is learning every day. She is really a joy to work with and I am happy she is so willing to learn new things. When she was younger, I made the mistake of pushing her too hard, too fast. This shut her down. It made her tune me out and disconnect from me when I attempted to train her. She is not the either of the boys. She is a different personality and temperament. She is soft and easily frustrated. Although Piper is soft, he readily tries and offers behaviors and keeps on trying. Gem did not. If she was wrong, she stopped trying and disconnected. Most of it I caused. Some of it was just her personality. So I have continually worked on bettering our relationship and teaching myself to tune in to her and how she learns. This has truly been successful. While we certainly aren't ready for any type of competition, we are working on solidifying our relationship and teamwork. I hope that when we are ready, that curve will not happen because we will already be a team.

 

She is soft and quite the little perfectionist. She wants to be right. I have worked on instilling in her, that it's okay to TRY. The world won't come to an end if she isn't right. This process is slow. We are taking the proverbial baby steps. If she is incorrect and offers other behaviors, she is encouraged and we party when she hits the right one. She thinks this is just great! How do I know that what I am doing is working? The little video I have attached is proof. Her willingness, wagging tail, treat eating and happy attitude is proof that I am on the right track.

 

Every day is a new adventure. While other people with dogs much younger than her are already competing, we are not and we won't be ready any time soon. It is up to me to be patient. I am in no hurry. Good things come to those that wait and she is definitely a very good thing...



Planning for the future...

Seeker by Candace Lang Photography

Several months ago, I made the decision to have Seeker's semen collected. Shortly after that, he developed prostatitis and his future as a stud dog was in jeopardy. After a course of antibiotics, he recovered nicely, but I had no idea whether or not his illness had taken his fertility. I had to wait several months to have him evaluated and collected. Time to hopefully regenerate...

I had heard of Straws To Paws from Washington, NJ where we decided to ultimately take Seeker. Dr. Mary and Debbie were awesome. They know their business and Seeker had a great experience. He got the chance to flirt with a pretty little black tri Sheltie girl as a bonus. I was thrilled to see that he had plenty of swimmers on the slide that Dr. Mary showed me. My fears of him being sterile were quickly put to rest. The whole procedure was fast and efficient and we were soon on our way home to PA.

On the drive home, I received a phone call from Debbie about Seeker's samples. They did well in the freezing process, but his motility was 50%, which meant that we would need 4 straws for a breeding. His 12 straws gives us 3 potential breedings. His lower motility could be a lingering effect from his prostatitis or it could be because he hasn't been used for stud for awhile. Regardless, I will have him collected again in the very near future so that I have at least 5 or more potential breedings stocked away.

This is important to me and my breeding program. While he is not what some breeders want for a stud dog, he is my ideal... His structure, temperament, stamina, working ability, health clearances, trainability make him an excellent example of the breed in my opinion. He is looser-eyed, but has tons of power. I couldn't ask for more.

Right now, I'm not in a position to add another puppy. With Piper pushing 10, Ceilidh 8, Seeker 6 and Gem turning 2, I have my hands full. God forbid that something would happen to Seeker and his breeding potential be lost. I've seen it happen before and I didn't want it to happen to me. At some time in the future, I will find him a nice girl, that is his equal or better. Whether I have to lease or buy a girl is yet to be decided, but even if Seeker is gone, I still have a piece of him. That is tremendously important to me. I want a son from him someday. That became possible today, come what may.

Until that day comes, I have planned the best I can for carrying on Seeker's legacy... and now back to our regular programming and life. :)

Reflections... 2012

This has been a roller coaster year for us, filled with ups and downs. It was also a year of Championships... Piper and I finished 2 in agility... his USDAA PDCH (Performance Dog Champion) and FINALLY, his AKC MACH (Master Agility Champion). His PDCH was completed quietly, and steadily in less than a year. His MACH has taken us MUCH longer, but we finally did it with QQ #20 on September 29! Just when I thought we would never reach that number, Piper showed me that I needed to keep the faith. His last 3 QQs went by all in a row.

 

Seeker was no slouch either while he and I completed 2 as well... his ASCA ATCH (Agility Trial Champion) and his USDAA ADCH (Agility Dog Champion). Both titles needed Gambler Qs to complete. Seeker has never been a confident Gambler dog, but after some much needed help, he has just nailed his gambles in all the venues we compete in. To prove this, he finished his AKC Master FAST title too. Good boy...

His herding training was going very well last winter and spring, but agility season soon engulfed our time and money. Until I become independently wealthy and can afford to do it all, some things just have to wait their turn.
 

 

Gem has grown up to be a sweet LITTLE girl... all 17.5" and 26 lbs. of her. She is very soft and working with her has presented many challenges for me. She is helping me to grow as a trainer, exploring alternatives to help her gain confidence and begin to love learning. She is a little perfectionist. She doesn't like to be wrong. She has never been much of a foodie, but her love of food is still growing. She does  love her toys, but those aren't always appropriate for what I want to teach her. So, I am being patient, fostering our relationship, finding what makes Gem tick and what makes her happy. Time is on our side, and that, we have plenty of right now. I had hoped to eventually breed her, but her diminuitive size and possible risks to her health or even life, had me make the decision to spay her. Her growth plates were closed at 11 months of age, so she was spayed just before she turned 1. It was a difficult decision for me, but I still think it was the right one. It wasn't because I didn't want a puppy from her, because I so did, but it was because I love her too much to let anything happen to her.

 

 

Ceilidh has blossomed as a big sister. She truly loves her little sister, Gem. I didn't get to do much nosework with her formally, because of my work schedule, but she still likes to play the game at home for cookies. I am hoping that I can get her back in to formal classes and maybe even trial her at some point. She is, however, content to hang out at home, chase her tennis ball, herd Piper, play bitey face with Gem and just generally be the princess that she is. She enjoys going to agility trials with us and just hanging out with her Daddy and little sister while the boys and me do all the work.


We have endured some illnesses with the boys... a repeat of Piper's anal sac ruptures, leading us to believe that he had a more encompassing food allergy. While his vet was on a working trip to China, he ruptured again and got very ill, very quickly. Luckily, the other vet in the practice set things right with meds as I removed all grain and all things feathered from his diet. Currently, he is on a 6 fish based food, off of all grains and is also taking a Chinese herb to keep things in check. He is happy and healthy.


Seeker hasn't been immune to illness either. After bringing Pip back in to be bred unsuccessfully, I knew something was not quite right with him. Unfortunately, he had a battle with prostatitis, which was cleared up by a course of antibiotics. I decided to have him evaluated and collected in 2013 because I don't have a bitch on the horizon to breed him to so I can keep a pup. He is worthy, in my eyes, to carry on the breed. He is a talented working dog, an accomplished agility dog, with a great structure and temperament. He is exactly my ideal Border Collie. I really love what he produced in his first litter and when I breed him again, I want to keep a legacy from him. I wish people would see what I see in him. He is not too big for an agility dog. He has speed and covers the ground with his long stride. He is successful in multiple venues. It could be when his kids begin hitting the ring, someone may take notice of what he can offer a breeding program. Until then, I will collect him for the future. Because, you just never know and I don't want to lose the opportunity to have a puppy of his for my own.


Ceilidh managed to be seizure free from January 28 until December 30. We are very pleased with this as it is the longest time she has gone seizure free. Her neurology vet says that many of his epilepsy patients give him ulcers... thankfully Ceilidh does not. We've found the right mix of meds for her and we continue to monitor her progress. We were hoping that her epilepsy had gone in to remission, but sadly, that hasn't happened for her right at this point. But we always remain hopeful...


Personally, things have been rough. My job continues to be a serious source of stress. Although I now have a "permanent" schedule, that hasn't taken the pressure off of me. As a matter of fact, it seems to be worse now. I need to make a change... soon. I can't do EMS forever. My body won't allow it. My spirit won't allow it either. Seeing death on a regular basis wears me down... mind, body and spirit. But there are good moments too. Like when a patient laughs or smiles because of something I've said or done for them. That too, makes me smile.


 My training classes are a work in progress. I AM a very good instructor. I am great at problem-solving, a product of my strong obedience background. I continue to offer classes in the hopes that I can get a steady stream of students. My workshops are well attended so that gives me hope. I want to expand my offerings to include freestyle, obedience, rally and of course, agility. I want to see handlers and dogs foster wonderful relationships in whatever they choose to do. Dogs are my passion and my life. 


Looking back at the past year, I can say that it has been a good one in many ways. I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for me. Changes... they are coming. For good, or for bad, change is a necessary part of life. I am anxious to see where life will take us...


Happy New Year to all!! May you discover your passion and follow your dream!