Bing and I traveled to Pennsylvania last week to attend the Great Dane Club of America National Specialty. We competed in the obedience trials there and were awarded High in Trial for both trials (highest scoring obedience)!
In other news, we have also enjoyed a few fun engagements over the past month or so. We were part of the United Way of Jasper County’s Speaker series, talking about the movie experience.
Bing enjoyed wandering the auditorium, greeting everyone and exploring the space! I think he might have been critiquing my presentation as well….
We were also invited as a special guest to attend Bailing out Benji’s annual gala. A really fantastic organization promoting public education about different types of breeders. They support responsible breeders. It’s refreshing when responsible breeders and rescues can work together!
Member of the Central Iowa Kennel Club in attendance at Bailing out Benji Gala
Bing showing off his ribbons (qualifying ribbon, ribbon for first place – meaning he had the highest score in his class, and a new title rosett.)
To earn a CD (Companion Dog) title, the dog must have three qualifying scores, which is a score of at least 170 out of 200.
The exercises include:
– Heel on Leash and Figure Eight – Obedience heeling means the dog is keeping pace with their handler (changes of pace and directions, plus turns) and automatically sits when the handler halts.
– Stand for Examination – for this off-leash exercise the dog must stay in a standing position as its handler walks about 6 feet away. The judge will then lightly touch the dog on the head, body and hindquarters. Like in the Sit for Exam, the dog must not display any resentment.
– Heel Free – dogs will heel off-leash doing the same routine as they did on-leash, except they will not perform the Figure Eight.
– Recall – demonstrates that the dog will come to the handler on command. The dog should sit directly in front of the handler. Upon the judge’s command, the handler then directs the dog to return to the heel position (without handler moving).
– Sit Stay – Get Your Leash – this exercise is to demonstrate that the dog will remain in the sit position, while the handler goes to get the dog’s leash.
– Group Exercise – Sit & Down Stay – this exercise will demonstrate the dog’s ability to remain in the sit and down position, with other dogs in the ring and is performed on-leash.
CH = Champion RA = Rally Advanced CA = Coursing Ability DCAT = Fast CAT (timed 100 yard run) CGC = Canine Good Citizen TKI = Trick Dog Intermediate
If anyone is ever interested getting their dogs started in any dog sports, please reach out!
Super pleased with this biddable dog. He is just such an easy dog to work!
From AKC’s site about Rally: You and your dog navigate a course, side-by-side, as you steer him through a course of 10-20 different signs. Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. The dog and handler move continuously throughout the course with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There is a clear sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered signs. Although each performance is timed, having a good race time is not the goal; it’s all about working as a team while performing the skills, with the dog under control.
Want to learn more about AKC’s Rally obedience program? Click here
AKC has a fun program called Trick Dog, which allows owners to earn actual AKC titles on their dogs for performing tricks! There are five levels: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Performer, and Elite Performer. Each level has a prerequisite of the prior level.
Here are Bing’s tricks for his Intermediate title:
It is a very common issue with Danes, although certainly not limited to the breed, to experience picky eaters. It often starts around a year old (give/take) as their calorie needs have slowed. The owner tries all sorts of things to get the dog to eat…switching brands of food, adding tasty things to the food, hand feeding, etc. The problem is this all makes it worse! We exacerbate the issue and start the dog on a life (or at least many years) of being a picky eater. Not to mention, LOTS of owner frustration!
First, make sure there is nothing medically wrong with the dog. Any symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargic, etc. would definitely warrant an immediate vet visit. But a vet visit might be needed regardless, to rule out dental or tonsil issues.
Next, determine if the dog’s weight is truly a problem. If your dog is too heavy, or even at an ideal weight, LISTEN to them and cut back what you are feeding. Especially if they are a young adult, it is likely you are simply over feeding.
If the dog is too thin, some ideas to get them eating. Assuming you are already using a quality food, there is no need to switch foods. You need scheduled feeding times. Ideally twice a day. No free feeding. Cut out the treats for now (unless in a training class), except for right before meal time. Give a little snack to get the stomach juices going. The pre-meal snack before a meal has been a big success for me. Although it seems counterintuitive, cut back what you are offering by half. Put the food down for 5-10 minutes and then pick it back up until the next meal. If they don’t finish the meal, they get the rest of it (no more added) for the next meal. If they still cannot finish the half portion on a routine basis, cut back even more. Once they learn to clean the bowl, then gradually increase the amount until they are eating an appropriate amount.
Try to remain calm after uneaten meals. Even once the eating habits improve, the dog might still turn down a meal. Keep in mind that caloric needs can fluctuate based on age, seasons, exercise levels, etc., so there is no need to fret from an uneaten meal.
Eventually most dogs tend to age out of picky eating habits. If you utilize the above methods, you’ll save yourself lots of frustrations though.
Gigi passed her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test this week! We have thoroughly enjoyed our CGC class these past 6 weeks. My oldest son, Wade, took my mom’s Lab, Isla, through training and they also passed their test. Proud mom!
Wade with Isla, me with Gigi, and CGC elevator Gayle Curtis.
Congratulations to Greta and her owners Chris & Christine for her new CGC!! They have also been training Greta to track and have been busy training for Rally Obedience.
Greta
Congratulations to Bree and Tiana for Bree’s second point, picked up today in Waterloo, Iowa! Bree went Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite.
Kizzy recently earned her CGC. For those unfamiliar with the CGC, here is the post I wrote when Grace earned her CGC.
Kizzy's CGC certificate - click for larger image
Bree won her first point by going Winners Bitch/Best of Opposite Sex at the Cyclone Kennel Club show on Sunday of this past weekend. Yay Bree!! She also went Reserve on Saturday. Kizzy took Reserve to her sister on Sunday. Pictures forthcoming!
How do you curb the excess energy of a 10 month old 120 lb puppy in inclement weather?
Evidence A
With the severely cold weather and the constant snow cover (daily romps are treacherous right now), it’s been a struggle to fulfill Kizzy’s exercise needs. Subsequently, she has been just a tad on the crazy side lately (evidence A).
We do manage to get a little exercise outside, but not nearly enough.
down stay
One thing we do is practice obedience inside. Obedience training isn’t a replacement for exercise, but it helps curb some of the crazy by offering the dog a little outlet for mental and physical (albeit small) stimulus. Not to mention the obvious benefits of training!
You can also play games like hide-n-seek inside with the dog – by hiding people or toys/treats and encouraging the dog to find. Dogs can learn this game quickly. Take a treat and place it in plain sight, then tell the dog to “find it!” and allow him/her to go get the treat. As the dog starts to learn the “find it” command, increase the difficulty. With the dog watching, put the treat behind/under something easy and then give the command. Work up to doing this while the dog isn’t even in the room. They will quickly learn how to find the treats.
Of course, always a fall back is the chewie. I’m not a fan of raw hide chews as too many dogs swallow large pieces of them, which has caused blockages. Instead, we typically offer bully sticks or raw beef knuckle bones, which can often be picked up at your butcher’s for a decent price.
The dogs trying out some cow hooves:
Remember, a tired dog is a good dog! Find a way to offer some outlets for your dog so they don’t find their own!
