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!





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The List... 2013

It is once again time for my annual goal list for me and the dogs. I enjoy writing them down and crossing them off as we finish accomplishments. 2012 was a very good year for achieving many of my goals. However some, unfortunately, went by the wayside due to one reason or another. So here we go for 2013 in no particular order...

1. Finish Seeker's MACH.

2. Qualify both boys for AKC Nationals 2014.

3. Finish Piper's USDAA LAA Bronze.

4. Finish C-ATCHs on both boys.

5. Make the draw for CPE Nationals in Ohio.

6. Qualify Seeker for USDAA Nationals 2013.

7. Get Ceilidh back in to nosework class somewhere because she LOVES it.

8. Get Seeker and Gem back in to serious herding training.

9. Work harder and smarter with Gem to understand her and help her enjoy learning.

10. Do more therapy visits with the boys.

11. Hopefully, have Gem ready to do some rally or obedience later in the summer or fall.

12. Have Seeker evaluated and collected for posterity, until I find that special girl for him.

13. Get back to working Seeker in obedience and rally to at least finish a CD and his RAE.

14. Finish Piper's RAE.

15. Put a dent in Piper's PACH.

16. Spend more individual time with each of the dogs.

17. Continue to work on Ceilidh's reactivity issues with the tools I've learned.

18. Work harder on getting students for my classes and workshops. I really am good at teaching and I LOVE seeing teams achieve their goals!

19. Continue working on getting healthier and losing more weight and keeping it off.

20.  Make more time for the best dog dad in the world... my hubby.

I truly enjoy keeping busy with the dogs and I LOVE my husband for his indulgence, encouragement and tolerance of ALL my teaching, traveling and trialing. He helps me keep it all together and moving forward. I couldn't do it without him. 

MACH Piper by Kaitlyn Dreese

Happy Holidays to all and to all best wishes for a fantastic 2013!!!

A new era for Piper...

Piper by Great Dane Photos

Well, we did it... We earned our AKC MACH on September 29, 2012. He has also earned his MX Bronze and Silver and his MJ Bronze titles too. As I truly am not interested in pursuing MACH 2 with him, we are moving on to a new era on January 1, 2013. Piper will be moved to Masters Preferred 16" and we will continue to play there until he doesn't want to any longer. Somehow, I picture him running agility until the day he dies. He loves it just that much. I love HIM just that much as well.

He has converted me into an agility person after being a hardcore competition obedience competitor. His joy for the sport is apparent in every run, every time. When things go wrong, we make lemonade with the lemons. A recent JWW run is an example... With a tunnel start, he blasted out of the tunnel and headed straight instead of turning towards me even though I said his name, trying to cue him to turn. He consequently missed obstacle #2 which was a jump. He came around it, back-jumped it, took again, then went on. He got his weaves, missed the double. I didn't care. He wasn't qualifying at that point anyway, so we made up our own course and headed to the exit. He couldn't have been more pleased with himself. Smiles, tail wags and woos of joy are his trademarks. As long as that is happening, we will play the game.

He is qualified for AKC Nationals 2013, CPE Nationals 2013 and is entitled to go to USDAA Nationals 2013 and run in the Veteran's Showcase there... He will be 10 on April 9, 2013. Today he ran his very last AKC course in 20" Regular.  It was bittersweet, but made special by having him win the 20" Excellent B Standard class against dogs much younger than himself and earning his MX Silver. What an amazing boy he is... and what a blessing that he is in my life.

I have to thank his breeder Cheryl Jagger Williams for the opportunity of even having Piper. He was a FREE replacement puppy, but I could never put a price on him now. He chose me. It was destiny and for this I am grateful. I can't wait to see what the future holds. More fun, more laughs, just MORE! Thank you Piper for being your honest, awesome self... I am truly blessed.

The Quest...

Seeker by Candace Lang Photography

Seeker... what can I say about this wonderful boy? He is my "Quest For The Grail". I couldn't be more pleased with who he is and what he has accomplished. So far, 2 agility championships with another on the horizon. He's earned his way to AKC Nationals twice, USDAA Nationals twice and CPE Nationals. He works stock with grace and strength. He is looser-eyed, but has tons of power. His physical presence on stock is incredible and although, we don't get to work sheep as much as we would like, his raw talent is evident. He has one litter on the ground that will be 2 in March 2013. These pups are proving to be just as versatile as their sire. Obedience, agility, stock work... They are still in training and I am looking forward to seeing them compete in the very near future.

 

Currently, I am in a quest to find a worthy bitch to breed him to so that I can have a son and several friends can have a pup to carry on his wonderful legacy. My search has me and a savvy friend scouring BC breeder websites for the perfect girl that will match him both physically and in spirit, temperament and working ability. He is OFA Good, shoulders/elbows Normal, DNA Normal by parentage, CERF, Brucellosis negative. I have not done some of the other tests (CL, etc) but am open to doing so if it is required, for the right girl. My quest is proving very difficult. The working breeders generally don't take us seriously as we are not trialing even though he has innate talent. The sport breeders think he is too "big" at 21" and 45 lbs. Even if he wasn't mine, he would still be what I want in a male Border Collie. He has substance, but isn't overdone. He has coat, but isn't dripping in it. He has a gorgeous, masculine head and neck. His layback of shoulders is to die for. He exudes "maleness" without being obnoxious. He is a white-factored black tri-color, which is a turn off for many breeders. He didn't throw any of his wild white in his first litter, bred to a darker bitch. The pups are flashy, but are traditionally marked. I have been also told that he is a bit long in the hocks, but that is a matter of opinion. For me, the physical breed standard (AKC) really doesn't have much bearing. It is temperament, soundness and working ability that matters most to me.

 

I don't show in the breed ring as I am unwilling to finish a breed championship and lose the working registration (ABCA). In truth, I don't feel the need to have some judge tell me that I have a good dog. I honestly don't care what the show faction thinks of him. He isn't show bred nor will those folks be interested in him anyway. Seeker is from working lines that also do dog sports. He is far from "traditional" and I think he is stunning.

 

So my quest continues and I am hopeful that I can find that special girl for him. It is just a matter of time and patience... Until that time, a visit to have him collected is in order. Straws To Paws, here we come!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MACH PIPER!!!!

Piper by Kaitlyn Dreese
 



     Where do I begin? This has been such a long journey for us. AKC agility has never been kind to us. The courses are tighter and he can't really stretch out and run at speed the way he likes to do. My handling has to be perfect. While we have had good success in other venues where the courses are more open, QQs eluded us like mad.
    
     Several years ago, I stopped running Piper in AKC for a little over 2 years. This decision came after a trial where the course was so ridiculously tight and twisty that I feared for his safety. I didn't like the judges, their attitudes, the courses, and even some of the exhibitors and their attitudes.  I had found that other venues were more supportive, less cutthroat and more relaxing. So I pursued those instead. When Seeker was of age and ready to trial, I returned to AKC. I finally started to see the courses becoming more reasonable. So we stuck with it, as well as the other venues.

     Piper earned his USDAA ADCH in August 2010. This is still a very special championship to me because of the versatility USDAA requires to earn it. Super Qs, Snooker, Standard, Jumpers, Relay Pairs, Gamblers, DAM team, Steeplechase, Grand Prix, etc. all offer very different challenges than does the AKC MACH where there is only Standard and Jumpers with Weaves. If you are persistent enough in AKC, you will very likely earn your MACH. Not the case with the ADCH. I know very persistent teams that still haven't achieved that title.

     He next earned his ASCA ATCH in July 2011. We both really enjoy competing in this venue. Although I originally used ASCA trials for training, the fun courses, laid back attitude and friendly faces quickly made it a favorite for us. But finishing a championship took some time because of the lack of local trials.

     In the Fall of 2011, I dropped Piper to 22" Performance in USDAA and in June 2012, Piper earned agility championship #3 when he finished his PDCH. We struggled a bit with earning Super Qs, but got our PVP Q easily in April with partners Alyssia and her BC Zippity. And before we knew it, he had earned this championship too. He is also very close to earning his Lifetime Achievement Award - Bronze in USDAA also. I couldn't be happier.




 

     So now, comes the most elusive, earned on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at the Lancaster Kennel Club trials in Palmyra, PA. We had been hung up for a long time on QQ #13 at the beginning of the year. We squeaked QQs out 1 at a time to get to #17. His last 3 QQs came quickly and seemingly easily, with 1 NQ out of the last 4 trials. He is no longer in the ribbons because at 9 1/2 he's slowed down a bit, but all I truly care about is that he is having a great time running with me. Win, lose or draw...

     This is Piper's 7th championship... 3 of them are in canine freestyle and 4 of them are in agility. He has far surpassed anything I could have imagined us attaining. Considering I could have lost him in the summer of 2011 to sepsis, I am indeed SO blessed to be in his life. He is such an amazing creature that has taught me so many things. Most of all, he taught me to love agility just as much as he does. And that was no easy task for him. Thank goodness his attitude is truly infectious. He has made me want to be a better trainer and handler. He has made me want to lose weight to be faster and be able to hold up my end better physically. He has made me thank God everyday for the blessings I have in my life. And for all of this, I will always be in his debt.

     And our story continues for as long as Piper wants to play this crazy game called agility... I will be there for him and with him. Because we are an unstoppable team, my Pi and me. Thank you for putting up with me in good times and bad. I love you Pi-man!!!