Dino

Come See Us at The Cow Palace Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show!

2012-01-21T18:21:00.000-08:00

January 28 and 29, 2012!

Daly City/San Francisco

Here is our ring schedule:

Ring Eight, in Main Hall

Saturday: Open B class - 11:35 AM #6 (second in the ring)

Saturday: Utility B class - 1:45 PM #6 (first in the ring)

Sunday: Open B class - 11:50 am #6 (second in the ring)

Sunday: Utility B class - 1:20 PM #6 (first in the ring)

This is the first year they are allowing mixed breeds, and, as far as I know, he is the only mixed breed at the whole show! We would love to have as much support as possible for mixed breeds and shelter dogs.

Dino Earns Grand Champion Title!

2011-11-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

October 16, 2010

Mixed Breed Dog Club of California's Regional Specialty

Milpitas, CA

Dino earns 10th "Best Mixed Breed"

A "Grand Champion" title comes from earning 10 "Best Mixed Breed" in Mixed Breed only shows.

Dino's Best Mixed Breed Wins

2011-08-11T20:24:00.000-07:00

1. Town and Country, Hayward, July 2007

2. Nor Cal Golden Retriever, Gilroy, August 2007

3. Mini Mutt Match in Milpitas, September 2007

4. Great Pyrenees Match, March 2010

Video to come when I can find it!

5. Nor Cal Golden Retriever match, August 28, 2010

6. MBDC of CA mini mutt match, September 26, 2010

7. MBDC of CA conformation during APDT rally trial, June 5, 2011

8. Town and Country match, July 30, 2011

Dino is Top Scoring Mixed Breed in Rally for 2010!

2011-08-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

http://frontandfinish.com/2011/06/09/2010-rally-advanced-ab-excellent-ab-mixed-breeds/

2010 Rally Combined Mixed Breeds

Top 10 Mixed Breeds
1	Woodacre’s Court Jester RAE J Phillips (All American Dog / Mixed Breed)	126
2	He’s A Patchwork Puppy CD GN RE OAP OJP OFP S Dempsey (All American Dog / Mixed Breed)	52
3	STELLA RA OAP NJP NFP K Powell/R Powell (All American Dog / Mixed Breed)	48
4	COCHECO VALLEY IT’S ALL ABOUT BRANNY RA E Fernandez (All American Dog / Mixed Breed)	46
5	BRANDY CD RE L BOLLENBACH (All American Dog / Mixed Breed)	43
6	Ozzie Dog Of Texas CD RE S NUZZOLILO (All American Dog / Mixed Breed)	40
7	Uggie Bug Jones CD RA S Jones (All American Dog / Mixed Breed)	37
8	BIGGIE RA NAP NJP NFP K Powell/R Powell (All American Dog / Mixed Breed)	32
9	QUINCY ADAMS VOJTAS RA NA NAJ NF P Vojtas (All American Dog / Mixed Breed)	31
10	Ella La Bella RA B DVORIN (All American Dog / Mixed Breed)	27

AKC Canine Partners Press Release for RAE

2011-07-25T11:12:00.001-07:00

January 2011
The AKC Canine Partners Newsletter
More Dog Fun for ALL Dog

RALLY

There is big news to report in the world of Rally! AKC Canine Partners has its first RAE – Rally Advanced Excellent title – the highest award in AKC Rally.

Woodacre's Court Jester RAE – known as "Dino" – earned the honor on Dec. 29 at the Santa Cruz Kennel Club dog show.

Dino is owned, handled and trained by Jacqueline Phillips of San Leandro, Calif.

Dino is truly a success story as he was surrendered to a shelter by his family at about 9 months of age because they had "too many kids and not enough time for the dog." The shelter scheduled him for euthanasia after labeling him as "out of control and untrainable." Luckily, Grateful Dog Rescue of San Francisco did not believe the shelter and took Dino into their care. Phillips adopted him when he was about a year old and immediately set out to prove the shelter wrong by training Dino.

Next on Dino's agenda is Obedience, Phillips said. They have trained all the exercises through Utility and have the goal of qualifying for the National Obedience Invitational. Already, Dino has completed his CD and has one leg towards his CDX.

In addition to our one RAE, the breakdown of Rally titles for All-Americans as of Dec. 31 is:

308 Rally Novice titles
61 Rally Advanced titles
11 Rally Excellent titles

"Front and Finish" Magazine RAE Article, July 2011

2011-07-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

Serpen Team

BY RUTHANN MCCAULLEY

July 2011

SerpenTEAM is a column featuring special dog and handler teams involved in Rally Obedience

This month I introduce the first RAE Canine Partner. Not only is this dog excelling in AKC Rally, but many other activities and venues as well.

What is your name and where do you live?

Jackie Phillips, San Leandro, California.

This is in the San Francisco Bay Area, in the East Bay, south of Oakland. I was born and raised in San Francisco.

What is your occupation?

I am self-employed with my own business called The Social Pet (www.thesocialpet.com). I help find lost pets with a variety of techniques including tracking dogs. Dino is trained to track, and he and Dot have completed over 200 searches since March 2009.

I am an author/publisher and wrote a book called “Renting with Rex: How You, Your Dog, Your Landlord and Your Neighbors Can All Thrive in Rental Housing.”

Photo By Roberts

Any other “personal” information you’d like to share, children, wife/husband, other pets etc.?

I have never been married, don’t have any children and am a proud 46 years old.

I currently have three dogs, one cat, two rabbits and two parakeets.

Name(s) and breed(s) and age(s) of your dog(s).

The dogs are Dino (five years old herding mixed breed), Dot (approximately five years old Jack Russell Terrier/Fox Terrier/Basenji mixed breed) and Rusty (one year old Norwich Terrier/Dachshund mixed breed). All dogs are adopted from various shelters.

I adopted Dino (MB-Ch Woodacre’s Court Jester AKC-RAE MB-RN CGC TT SR1) from Grateful Dogs Rescue in San Francisco in December, 2006. They pulled him from San Francisco Animal Care and Control after he had been surrendered by his owners where he lived his nine months in their backyard. The shelter considered Dino unadoptable because they thought he was out of control and untrainable, and they were going to euthanize him. Luckily, Grateful Dogs Rescue did not believe them. They had him posted on Petfinder, and I was looking for another dog.

Photo By Tim Bernard Caption: This photo is at the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America National Specialty on October 31, 2010, in Cornelius, Oregon. This is in the Novice Obedience class.

I adopted Dot (UWP Woodacre’s Polka Dot, CGC TT SR1 SR2) in October 2008 from a shelter in a tiny remote and rural town of Weaverville, California. She had been surrendered by her owners along with seven one week old puppies. I adopted her when the puppies were just weaned at six weeks. Dot is a very unique dog and is a serious work-a-holic.

Rusty (Woodacre’s LittleBigMan SR1) was just adopted in July of 2010 from a shelter in Southern Oregon when he was about eight months old. I traveled to Reno, Nevada, to attend a show with Dino, where he earned his Rally Excellent title. It was a four day event, and a woman and her husband were crated next to me with their dogs, and they had come down from Oregon to show her two dogs. She was fostering Rusty, then called Rudy, through her local humane society, and was looking to place him in a working home. Rusty has the ability to be the next obedience dog after Dino, and loves trips to the small dog dog park.

How did you become interested in Rally?

The Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America requires that either a RE or a CD is earned in order to complete the Champion title. Dino earned all the points necessary for his Championship in February 2010, so I started to look at Rally or Obedience. I was familiar with Rally since I had put an RE through the Mixed Breed Dog Club on another dog, Scout (Woodacre’s Rocket Fire, RE CGC TT) in 2005, when she was eleven years old. To get a title through the Mixed Breed Dog Club, the dog must compete in either workshops/fun matches or shows put on by the Club. There is a California chapter that I was a member of at that time, and I attended a couple of their shows for legs for Scout.

A restriction that the Mixed Breed Club puts on all dogs with all their Championship points without an RE or CD is that they are ineligible to show again in Conformation, and I wanted to take Dino and my other two mixed breeds to the National Specialty in Oregon in October. This put a lot of pressure on me to get the RE by then.

I looked at UKC, ASCA and Mixed Breed Club to get the RE through. After looking thoroughly at the show schedules, I discovered that shows in California were very rare in those venues, and I knew that getting a minimum of nine shows to complete the RE by October would be impossible. Besides, ASCA was not starting their Rally program until that summer and UKC had just started their program early 2010. Mixed Breed Club had been allowing Rally titles for several years.

I took a look at AKC. I knew that they were just allowing mixed breeds to show in April of 2010, which was about two months away from when I had decided to show in Rally. I started to attend classes and learn all the signs and requirements. I held off on registering with AKC at that point.

I did get Dino registered first with UKC because I was able to attend the first UKC Rally show in California at a Rat Terrier Specialty in March 2010. It was there that we earned our first two Rally legs and two United Weight Pull legs. Based on that success, I decided to register Dino with AKC and start showing him in Rally.

In California, AKC shows are very plentiful. I was able to map out a minimum of nine shows through August where I planned to show him. The only time I had to go out of California was to attend a show in Utah, which was in June.

You have a very accomplished mixed breed who is now making AKC history in the Canine Partners program. Please tell us more about your dog. Was he a rescue?

I adopted Dino on December 23th, 2006, from Grateful Dogs Rescue in San Francisco. I found him while searching on Petfinder for another dog after the death of my longtime companion, Rowdy (Woodacre’s Rowdy Boy MB-CDX CGC TT OAC NAC NJC) previously that year at the age of 16. I filled out that adoption application online and got an email from the foster parent that next day. Strangely, the foster parent was former member of the California chapter of the Mixed Breed Dog Club, and she remembered me and Rowdy. I drove into San Francisco and met Georgette and Dino (then called Sparky) at Fort Funston, a very large off leash dog park on the beach. The first time I saw Dino, he was running around the area trying to get various dogs to play with him. He would try various tricks until they played with him. I brought my dog, Scout, with me and let her out. Dino immediately ran up to her and enticed her to play, and they ran off running and jumping and playing. Both Georgette and I were smiling and laughing. We continued to walk around the large parking talking about Dino and catching up about the Mixed Breed Club. By the time we got back to the car, I told Georgette I definitely was interested in Dino, and she arranged a time to come by my apartment in Hayward, across the bay.

The story I got from Georgette about how Dino ended up at the San Francisco Animal Control was that he was surrendered by his owners at the age of nine months. His name was Spooky. I have copies of his surrender paperwork, and the photo the staff took of him in the lobby showed a terrified dog tied to a very long rope, hung in multiple loops from the man’s hand. The paperwork said that the shelter deemed him unadoptable because he was “wild in the kennel, barking and acting hysterical.” They called the previous owner to see if they were interested in redeeming him, and they declined. The San Francisco SPCA next door, a private shelter, also declined from adopting Dino. As a last resort to euthanasia, the shelter asked Grateful Dogs Rescue (www.gratefuldogsrescue.org) if they were interested in adopting him. From their website: “Grateful Dogs Rescue, a non-profit organization, has a mission to rescue San Francisco ACC shelter dogs not made available for adoption. Rather than letting these dogs be euthanized, Grateful Dogs Rescue saves as many as possible by fostering them until a loving home is found.” Georgette did agree that Dino was very, very excited in his kennel when she went inside to visit him, but she didn’t feel he was uncontrollable. She felt he was trying to get her attention and prevent her from leaving. She felt that with some time outside the kennel in a loving home, he would be a great dog. She was right, and they have continued to this day to provide safety and security to many at risk dogs from that overcrowded shelter. Grateful Dogs had him for three months in foster homes until I found him on Petfinder.

That same year, 2007, we started in Mixed Breed Conformation, and by the end of the year he had earned most of the championship points needed, and several Best Mixed Breeds. He also passed his Temperament Test, through the American Temperament Test Society, to earn his TT.

Photo By Warren Cook Caption: This is in Placerville, California, at the Hangtown Kennel Club. The date is May 30, 2010. Award is First Place in class. Judge is Carolyn Wray

What got you interested in competing with your dog? How long have you been training and competing? Is this your first competition dog? Do you take classes?

My first competition dog was Chessie (Woodacre’s Cheshire Smile CD), an ILP American Staffordshire Terrier.

I had been taking obedience classes from Patricia Cook in Oakland in approximately 1984 with a pit bull that was having dog aggression problems. I was eventually forced to put the dog to sleep because the problem was deemed to be too far along, and was a liability. After that, Pat helped me find another dog, and referred me to a person she knew who recently had a litter of pit bull puppies in San Francisco. I went there and found Chessie, the only puppy in the litter, running around and wreaking havoc. I gave her the registered name of Woodacre’s because that was the street my parents were living on in San Francisco, and Cheshire Smile because she always had a huge grin.

We went on to earn the CD and one CDX leg. The CDX leg was earned at the Golden Gate Kennel Club dog show at the Cow Palace in January in approximately 1986. We won first place in Open. We were the only dog who qualified out of the large class.

In 1992, Chessie was stolen out of my fully fenced yard in the middle of the night while I slept inside. She was tattooed and had a collar with all tags. She had also had recent cruciate repair surgery, so she was unable to walk or stand for long. This was before microchips. I never saw her again, even though I searched all over the Bay Area for months.

In 1993, several months after Chessie was stolen, I found Rowdy (then named Smokey) in a large government shelter in Sonoma County, where I was living. I adopted him the next day. He went on to become Woodacre’s Rowdy Boy, MB-CDX CGC TT NADAC-OAC NAC NJC.

Rowdy was my first competitive mixed breed and how I found out about the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America. We trained all the way through Utility, but had to stop short of the title because I took a job that required me to work weekends after losing my longtime administrative support job when the company was sold.

Before that happened, I had already adopted Scout (Woodacre’s Rocket Fire RE CGC TT), a pit bull/herding dog mix, from another shelter in Sonoma County, at the age of six months.

In December 2006, I adopted Dino from Grateful Dogs Rescue.

Do you take classes?

I do. I attend regular training from Denise Fenzi in Woodside, about 45 minutes from my home. She is absolutely wonderful and has really shown me how to remain positive, keep all training fun and focused and to be creative in training. I also attend drop in classes sporadically at Fremont Dog Training, Mt. Diablo Dog Training, County-Wide Dog Training and San Lorenzo Dog Training. All this is to get Dino acclimated to a variety of environments and people, which is needed in showing.

What rally venues do you participate in? (AKC, APDT etc.)

Dino has two UKC Rally Novice legs, earned last March 2010, at a Rat Terrier Specialty in Modesto, California. He also has one ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America) Rally Novice leg earned in September 2010 in Cayucos, CA, through Coast Australian Shepherd Club. He also has his Mixed Breed Rally Novice title and one Advanced leg. Those were earned in September and October of 2010, at the California Mixed Breed Specialty in Milpitas and at the National Mixed Breed Specialty in Cornelius, Oregon. There is a local group who sponsors APDT training and trials, and many mixed breed people compete there. For me, there has always been scheduling conflicts with other events, so I have not been able to attend training or shows.

My plan is to continue to participate in Rally in the future. First, I want to finish Dino’s UD and work on his UDX and OTCH at this point. I find that, for me, a certain amount of formality is needed in Obedience, that is not in Rally, and I am afraid of creating confusion in Dino’s distracted mind.

My immediate goal is to complete the UD and earn as many OTCH points as possible by the end of June to qualify for the Obedience Invitational in December in Florida. (Note: Dino, finished his UD this past Saturday, May 14, in Nampa, Idaho.)

Please share any other information about training problems you’ve overcome, etc. Do you think these problems are because of your chosen breed (or mix of breeds) or “generic” training issues.

I think the only problems I have encountered while showing in Rally is that I did not train for full Obedience attention from the beginning, mainly because my goal in the beginning was not Obedience, but just Rally. As we moved along in the process, Dino figured out that there was no food in the ring, so he tended to drift in attention, even though I did my best to remain interesting. He would visit the judge while in the ring and visit the Honor Dog in Excellent. As we progressed in Obedience training, I was able to change that and train in more focused attention. However, Dino is a super friendly and outgoing dog, so visiting others is a natural tendency of his. I think it will be ongoing in Obedience, at least in between exercises, so I have continued to work on full attention while in the ring and before going in. He is much better, but it obviously remains a struggle on his part to not say hello to everybody.

I don’t think these are breed specific problems, but a Dino and training challenge. However, I would prefer to have a happy, outgoing dog rather than a scared and freaky dog. A happy dog is much easier to work with.

Do you plan to continue in Rally?

Yes, I do. Once I finish his UD, I plan to work on the OTCH, though I know that is a very long road. During that time, I would like to finish the UKC, ASCA and Mixed Breed titles. I hate leaving things unfinished and hanging! I would also like to finish his UKC weight pull title. He has two legs from the same weekend where he got his UKC Rally Novice legs.

What other performance events do you participate in? (if any – obedience, agility etc.) You have a long list of titles from various venues. Please explain what each is, I am not familiar with some of them.

MB-Ch: Mixed Breed Champion – This is earned through the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America (www.mbdca.org). It is Conformation title, just like in any of Conformation. The dog earns points by beating out other dogs and fitting the standard. Many people ask how can there be a standard for a mixed breed. And, yes, it won’t be a specific as a purebred standard, but there are many other things that are standard. Here is the point breakdown as per the written standard:

SCALE OF POINTS:

General Appearance and Condition 20

Temperament 20

Gait and Movement 20

Head and Body 10

Forequarters 10

Hindquarters 10

Coat and Color 10

Total Points 100

The full standard can be seen at: http://mbdca.tripod.com/pdf/Conf_Standard.pdf MB-RN: Mixed Breed Rally Novice – That is the Rally Novice title through the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America (www.mbdca.org).

CGG: Canine Good Citizen – AKC.

TT: Temperament Test – American Temperament Test Society (www.atts.org)

SR1: Straight Racing One – Through All Breed Lure Sports Association (www.ablsa.org). This is a brand new group that patterns straight/sprint racing, lure coursing and oval track racing for all breeds after sight hound racing.

I must ask. Have you run into any resistance when competing in AKC events? It seems everyone I know welcomes the mixed breeds and Canine Partner program, but this may not be the case everywhere.

I am glad you asked that question. I don’t think I could use the word “welcoming” to describe my experience for the last year in showing Dino, and I have received the same feedback from other people who show mixed breeds. I have friends who show in the Washington/Oregon/Idaho state area, and they have received some very negative feedback while attending shows.

Remember, mixed breeds are only allowed in Obedience, Rally and Agility. They are barred from tracking, conformation and all other events. I hardly find that welcoming to start. And, clubs are still given the option of allowing mixed breeds, and I found in the last year, and scheduling the next six months, half of the shows I look at are allowing mixed breeds and half are not, at least in California, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona, where I receive premiums in the mail.

Also remember that UKC, ASCA, NADAC, USDAA and Mixed Breed Club have allowed mixed breeds for many, many years, and showing of purebreds has not been hampered by mixed breeds being on the same grounds. If anything, it would have been improved. I have heard of some people who had both purebreds and mixed breeds and showed in agility. They would not attend AKC shows with their purebreds because they didn’t want to leave their mixed breeds at home. Now, they don’t have to.

In my experience, where mixed breeds have been allowed and there are also Conformation rings, I receive the most awkward questions and comments. People literally stop me and ask what kind of dog Dino is. When I say, “mixed breed” I get some very confusing looks, comments and questions. I guess many people never received the notice that mixed breeds are now allowed by AKC on their grounds.

I can say that have received the most support from AKC at the Canine Partners program, headed by Penny Leigh. She is fabulous and had been very supportive.

I know there are many diehard purebred enthusiasts that don’t want mixed breeds on their grounds, period, and nothing I do or say will change their mind. And just like prejudice in general, they won’t state in public their opinions, but in private they will talk amongst themselves and confirm each other’s beliefs. I am sure everybody knows them. I want to focus on the people and clubs who are accepting and allowing me and Dino.

What is the most memorable thing that has happened to you and your dog(s)?

OK. That is easy. While we were working on the RAE, we attended a local double trial weekend. This was one of those indications that full focus was a problem. We were working our way through the Excellent course, and approaching the Honor Dog, a small and very cute Yorkie, sitting on Dino’s left side just as we approached a “U” turn. Well, we never made it to the “U” turn. Dino made a beeline to the Yorkie to play with him. Luckily, the Yorkie was not afraid of him and stayed still. I tried to call him back, but he wouldn’t come. The judge dismissed us, and then Dino went to visit the judge and jumped on her. We did qualify in the Advanced run later that day, which made up for it. However, the next day, as we were running the Excellent run, there was a figure 8 with distractions. After completing the second obstacle of a jump, Dino made a beeline to the figure 8 to check out the bowls. I said thank you to the judge and pulled him out.

As proof that things got better, on our final Advanced run, they had a figure 8 with distraction bowls, and Dino never wavered an eyelash away from me and walked right through it.

UKC Lure Coursing, Tracy, CA, July 2, 2011

2011-07-04T20:35:00.001-07:00

Dino, All Breed Racing, Fairfield, June 18 and 19, 2011

2011-06-21T17:22:00.001-07:00

Dino and Rusty, All Breed Racing (ABLSA), Fairfield, June 18 and 19, 2011

Dino, Best Mixed Breed, Mixed Breed Dog Club of California, Redwood City, June 5, 2011

2011-06-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

This is Dino's 8th Best Mixed Breed. He needs two more for his Grand Championship.

Dino, All Breed Racing, Livermore, May 28 and 29, 2011

2011-05-31T11:31:00.000-07:00

Racing And Coursing Enthusiasts (RACE) ABLSA/ISWS Sprint Race Results
05/28/11

We had a beautiful weekend of racing, enjoying the mild weather in Livermore (mild weather seems to be rare for our club). Except for a brief spatter of sprinkles on Saturday we had abundant sunshine and temperatures staying in the mid 70's. It was a great way to celebrate our club's 1 year anniversary!

We had several dogs earn new titles on Saturday. Congratulations to Taffe, Cuda, and Lilly for finishing their SR2 titles and congratulations to Mocha and Druid for finishing their SR1 titles!

ABLSA Results:
1. APBT-001, Didi, Boldog Pasta Didi Alfredo SR2, Corace/Burggraf, 20, 1, SRCh pts, 1 nat
2. APBT-010, Luna, Bully Brigade's Luna Chick SR1, Selco, 15, 1 SR2, 0.5 SRCh pts, 0.5 nat
3. APBT-012, Macho, Bully Brigade's Macho Libre, Selco, 14, 1 SR1

1. BED-004, Taffe, Kallehan's Usual Suspect SR2, Bernard, 22, 1 SR2, 1 SRCh pts, 1 nat
2. BED-002, Diamond, Burmington Maid From Majic SR2, Bernard, 16, 0.5 SRCh pts, 0.5 nat
3. BED-003, Booker, Patmore Steel Blue Brocaire SR1, Bernard, 11
4. BED-001, Hammer, Burmington King of Magic SR1, Bernard, 8

1. MIX-020, Cuda, Sonora's Ooh Barracuda SR2, Winegarner, 22, 1 SR2
2. CAT-002, Woody, El Dorado's Hollywood, Canaparo, 16, 1 SR1, 1 SR2
3. CAT-003, Sasha, El Dorado's Sasha, Canaparo, 11, 1 SR1

1. MIX-002, Dot, Woodacre's Polka Dot SR2, Phillips, 22
2. IT-002, Druid, Red Branch Mystic Druid SR1, Metz, 16, 1 SR1, 1 SR2
3. IT-001, Mocha, Mullaghboy Mocha On The Money SR1, Metz], 11, 1 SR1

1. RAT-001, Opal, OG's Fire Opal SR2, Hsia, 18
2. RAT-002, Beryl, OG's Golden Beryl SR1, Hsia, 15, 1 SR2
3. JRT-004, Carly-Simon, Carly-Simon, Robson, 14, scr3

1. MIX-018, Rusty, Woodacre's Little Big Man SR2, Phillips, 22
2. MIX-005, Lilly, Team Burggraf's Lilly Pants SR2, Corace/Burggraf, 16, 1 SR2
3. DH-002, Leeroy Jenkins, Hatler's Prince Charming SR1, Hsia, 11

ISWS Results:
1. SW-Pending, Yuu-Ga, Scirocco's Pacific Merlion, Shirakawa, 22, 2 SRC pts, 2 nat
2. SW-236, Eden, Rubia Seeing the Moon, Fink, 15, 1 SRC pt, 1 nat
3. SW-234, Mocha, Rubia Homage to the Moon, Fink, 14
4. SW-235, Lili, Rubia Moon Reflection, Fink, 13
5. SW-34, Addie, Tangaloor Delenn, Fink, 9

Racing And Coursing Enthusiasts (RACE) ABLSA/ISWS Sprint Racing Results
5/29/11

Sunday was the annual running of the Primo Memorial Cup Award in memory of Lucia and Vito's beloved American Pit Bull Terrier, Primo. This year's winner is Bully Brigade's Luna Chick (aka Luna) of Las Vegas, Nevada. Luna just started running in ABLSA events this February and has already racked up several championship points as well as finished her SR1 and SR2 titles. Congratulations to Luna and her mom, Veronica!

ABLSA Results:
1. APBT-010, Luna, Bully Brigade's Luna Chick SR2, Selco, 22, 1 SR2, 1 SRCh pt, 1 nat
2. APBT-001, Didi, Boldog Pasta Didi Alfredo SR2, Corace/Burggraf, 16, 0.5 SRCh pts, 0.5 nat
3. APBT-012, Macho, Bully Brigade's Macho Libre, Selco, 7 DQ

1. BED-004, Taffe, Kallehan's Usual Suspect SR2, Bernard, 22, 1 SR2, 1 SRCh pts, 1 nat
2. BED-003, Booker, Patmore Steel Blue Brocaire SR1, Bernard, 14, 1 SR2, 0.5 SRCh pts, 0.5 nat
3. BED-002, Diamond, Burmington Maid From Magic SR2, Bernard, 13
4. BED-001, Hammer, Burmington King of Magic SR1, Bernard, 8

1. DH-002, Leeroy Jenkins SR1, Hsia, school

1. IT-002, Druid, Red Branch Mystic Druid SR1, Metz, 22, 1 SR2, 1 SRCh pt, 1 nat
2. IT-004, Electra, Donedaire's Silver Lining, Randle, 13, 1 SR1, 1 SR2, 0.5 SRCh pts, 0.5 nat
3. IT-001, Mocha, Mullaghboy Mocha On The Money SR1, Metz, 11
4. IT-005, Enzo, Rockledge's Big Red One, Randle, 6, DQ

1. MIX-020, Cuda, Sonora's Ooh Barracuda SR2, Winegarner, 22, 1 SR2
2. MIX-002, Dot, Woodacre's Polka Dot SR2, Phillips, 16

1. MIX-013, Cindee, Cindee, Furiosi, 20, 1 SR1, 1 SR2, 1 SRCh pt, 1 nat
2. MIX-018, Rusty, Woodacre's Little Big Man SR2, Phillips, 20, 0.5 SRCh pts, 0.5 nat
3. MIX-005, Lilly, Team Burggraf's Lilly Pants SR2, Corace/Burggraf, 11

1. JRT-004, Carly-Simon, Carly Simon SR1, Robson, 22, 1 SR1, 1 SR2
2. RAT-001, Opal, OG's Fire Opal SR2, Hsia, 16
3. RAT-002, Beryl, OG's Golden Beryl SR1, Hsia, 7

ISWS Results:
1. SW-120, Teddy, Talisman's Ursa Major SRCXIV, Campbell, 20, 2 nat
2. SW-173, Helios, Talisman's Light of Helios SRCXII, Chin, 18, 1 nat
3. SW-Pending, Yuu-Ga, Scirocco's Pacific Merlion, Shirakawa, 13, 1 SRC pt
4. SW-297, Cooper, Aigrette's Golden Key, Claggett, 11, 0.5 SRC pts
5. SW-Pending, Anthias, Talisman's Sunburst Anthias, Chin, 6

Dino's Utility Title!: Klamath Falls, OR and Nampa, ID May, 2011

2011-05-20T12:39:00.001-07:00

May 2011

The AKC Canine Partners Newsletter
More Dog Fun for ALL Dogs

From the AKC

OBEDIENCE

New Utility Dog – A round of applause goes to Dino for becoming the second All-American to earn the Utility Dog title – a major achievement in Obedience! Dino, also known as Woodacre's Court Jester UD RAE, had just finished his CDX on March 27 and to finish his UD less than two months later is quite a feat.

Dino's owner Jacqueline Phillips of San Leandro, CA, and Dino finished the UD on May 14 at the Idaho Capital City Kennel Club trial in Nampa, ID. Dino also is the first and still the only mixed-breed to earn the highest AKC Rally honor of RAE. You might recall Dino's story. He was turned into a shelter as a puppy and was deemed "untrainable and out of control." Luckily, a rescue group and Phillips saw his potential.

Phillips said their next goal is to qualify for the AKC National Obedience Invitational before the qualification period ends on June 30. We wish them luck!

Dino, Coursing Ability Test, Pocatello, ID, May 15, 2011

2011-05-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

Dino, Utility A, First Attempt, Sacramento, Nor Cal Terrier Association (NQ)

2011-04-19T18:19:00.001-07:00

Article About New Coursing Ability Test

2011-03-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

This is an article by the American Kennel Club about their new coursing program with all breeds. There is an interview with me and photos of my dogs and other shots I took.

http://www.akc.org/events/coursing_ability_test/new_event.cfm

Dino, Mixed Breed, Open, Qualifying, Title, 1st Place, County-Wide DTC, 3/27/11, Petaluma, CA

2011-03-30T14:24:00.000-07:00

This was third leg and title.

Dino, Mixed Breed, Open Obedience, San Mateo Kennel Club, March 26, 2011, Vallejo, CA (NQ)

2011-03-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

This was non qualifying due a stay problem.

Dino, Mixed Breed, Open Obedience, Second Leg, Kennel Club of Salinas, March 25, 2011, Vallejo,

2011-03-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

This was a qualifying run and second leg.

Dino, Mixed Breed, Open Obedience, Santa Cruz KC, Thursday, March 24, 2011, Vallejo, CA

2011-03-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

This was non-qualifying due to a problem in the stays.

Dino, Mixed Breed, Open Obedience, Friday and Saturday, Fresno, February 4 and 5, 2011

2011-02-11T13:55:00.000-08:00

Friday:

Saturday:

Final CD Leg! First CDX Leg! Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura, CA, January 21, 22, 2011

2011-01-30T14:31:00.000-08:00

Final CD Leg! First CDX Leg! Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura, CA, January 21, 22, 2011

Dino, Novice B, 4th Place, CD Title, Simi Valley Kennel Club, Ventura, CA, January 21, 2011

Dino, Open Obedience, First Leg, Saturday, January 22, 2011, San Fernando Kennel Club, Ventura,

Dino, Novice Obedience, Thursday, January 20, 2011, Channel City Kennel Club, Ventura, CA

This was non-qualifying due to Dino dropping on the recall when I didn't ask him to.

Dino, Open Obedience, Sunday, January 23, 2011, Ventura County Dog Fanciers, Ventura, CA

This was non qualifying due to a break in the down stay.

First Two CD Legs! San Francisco Dog Training Club, January 15, 2011, San Jose, CA

2011-01-25T12:21:00.001-08:00

First Two CD Legs! San Francisco Dog Training Club, January 15, 2011, San Jose, CA

Judge: Ken Blanchard, Fourth Place, Open B

Dino, All Breed Racing, Livermore, January 2011

2011-01-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

Rusty, Dot and Dino, All Breed Racing (ABLSA), January 2011, Livermore, CA

Road to RAE Title!

2010-12-31T09:29:00.000-08:00

Road to RAE Title!

I started training Dino (Ch Woodacre’s Court Jester RAE MB-RN SR1 TT2 CGC) for Rally at the beginning of 2010, but his journey into Rally began long before that.

After searching on Petfinder for a couple of months, I adopted Dino from Grateful Dog Rescue in San Francisco in December 2006 when he was a year old. They adopted him from San Francisco Animal Care and Control where he had been surrendered by his owners about three months prior because they had “too many kids and not enough time for the dog.” The shelter had him scheduled for euthanasia. They considered him unadoptable because they thought he was out of control and untrainable. Luckily Grateful Dog Rescue did not believe them and neither did I.

I got Dino registered with the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America and started showing him in Conformation, even though I had never shown a dog in that sport before. I knew Dino was a show off and could move very well. I found a trainer who taught me how to clicker train him for Conformation and within that same year Dino had several Best Mixed Breeds under his proverbial belt and was one point shy of all his points needed for his Championship.

For personal and financial reasons, I didn’t restart Dino’s Conformation career until January of 2010, when he won his last point needed.

The Mixed Breed Dog Club requires that to earn the Championship title, either an RE or a CD must also be earned. I decided on the RE. Furthermore, a restriction that the Club puts on all dogs with all their Championship points without an RE or CD is that they are ineligible to show again in Conformation, and I wanted to take Dino and my other two mixed breeds to the National Specialty in Oregon in October. This put a lot of pressure on me to get the RE by then.

I did get Dino registered first with UKC because I was able to attend the first UKC Rally show in California at a Rat Terrier Specialty in March 2010. It was there that we earned our first two Rally legs. Based on that success, I decided to register Dino with AKC and start showing him in Rally.

We earned our final RE leg in Reno at the end of July, and we also got our first RAE leg. This made us the first mixed breed to earn an RE. Initially, I had not considered going for the RAE title since my primary goal was to get the RE title just to get the Championship title. However, by July I was hooked, not only on Rally, but also in Obedience. I had put so much training and time just go get to the RE that I didn’t want to waste all that and stop at that point. I decided to continue going for the RAE legs while training for obedience. My first sign that I should continue in Obedience was that I won a set of used scent articles at a workshop raffle, which would have cost me over $100, but I got for $10.

Working on the RAE took us all over Northern and Central California for two reasons. First I wanted to get the RAE as soon possible because I wanted to start in Obedience, and I did not want to do both at the same time for financial and technical reasons. I knew that Obedience requires a specific type of performance that we could not do in Rally, primarily all the extra words and coaxing, if necessary. Also, once I found out that we could possibly be the first mixed breed with an RAE, I was much more motivated.

Second, even though AKC had been allowing mixed breeds to show since April, they still gave clubs the option to allow them to enter. I was finding many clubs, predominantly breed and kennel clubs, were prohibiting mixed breeds. These restrictions were forcing me to travel further to complete the title.

Finally, on Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at the Santa Cruz Kennel Club, in San Mateo, a half hour from my home, we completed the final RAE leg with a 90 and 91 score. This was just over seven and a half months since we earned our first RN leg.

Now, we are on to Obedience. We have trained all the exercises through Utility, and we are working on polishing and proofing. We are entered into our first Novice show in two weeks. Our goal is to qualify by the end of June for the Invitational in Florida in December 2011. This means we need our UD and as many OTCH points as possible and be within the top three mixed breeds in the country. This will be the first year that mixed breeds will be allowed.

Dino’s shares his home with two other mixed breeds, Rusty (Woodacre’s LittleBigMan SR1) and Dot (UWP Woodacre’s Polka Dot SR2 TT CGC), Mercury the cat, two rabbits and two birds. Dino’s day job is as a pet detective where he tracks lost pets all over Northern and Central California. He has participated in over 200 tracks since early 2009.

Final RAE Leg, Santa Cruz Kennel Club, December 29, 2010

2010-12-30T14:44:00.000-08:00

Dino, Mixed Breed, Rally, Final RAE Leg, December 29, 2010, San Mateo, CA

Dino, Mixed Breed, Rally Excellent, December 31, 2010, San Mateo, CA

Rally, San Luis Obispo Dog Obedience Group (SLODog), Paso Robles, November 20 and 21, 2010

2010-11-26T03:48:00.001-08:00

Rally, San Luis Obispo Dog Obedience Group (SLODog), Paso Robles, November 20 and 21, 2010

Eighth and Ninth RAE legs!

Borzoi Rescue All K9 Races, November 6-7, 2010, Sloughhouse, CA

2010-11-08T16:37:00.001-08:00

Photography by Gadabout Photography (www.gadaboutphotography.com)

Results from November 6, 2010:

http://www.ablsa.org/BRNCresults110610.pdf

Results from November 7, 2010:

http://www.ablsa.org/BRNCresults110710.pdf

Mixed Breed Dog Club of America National Specialty, Cornelius, OR, October 29-August 1, 2010

2010-10-31T17:08:00.000-07:00

Mixed Breed Dog Club of America National Specialty, Cornelius, OR, October 29-August 1, 2010

Slideshow #1:

Slideshow #2:

Dino's First Mixed Breed CD leg:

Pre-Novice, Sunday

Rally Advanced, First Leg:

Dino Rally, Skyline Dog Fanciers/Del Valle Kennel Club, Pleasanton, CA, October 21-25, 2010

2010-10-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Dino Rally, Skyline Dog Fanciers/Del Valle Kennel Club, Pleasanton, CA, October 21-25, 2010

Friday, October 22, 2010, Excellent run:

Friday, October 22, 2010, Advanced Run (Fifth RAE leg):

Sunday, October 24, Excellent Run:

More to come as videos are processed.

Photos by Gadabout Photography:

Mixed Breed Dog Club of California Specialty, October 17, 2010, Milpitas, CA

2010-10-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

Mixed Breed Dog Club of California Specialty, October 17, 2010, Milpitas, CA

Here are photos from various shows, including the California Specialty.

Dino Rally, Twin Cities Kennel Club, Yuba City, CA, October 16, 2010

2010-10-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

Dino Rally, Twin Cities Kennel Club, Yuba City, CA, October 16, 2010

Fourth RAE leg!

Rally Excellent:

Rally Advanced:

Borzoi Rescue All K9 Races, October 9-10, 2010, Sloughhouse, CA

2010-10-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

Borzoi Rescue All K9 Races, October 9-10, 2010, Sloughhouse, CA

Photos by Gadabout Photography (www.gadaboutphotography.com)

Video taken by myself as I stood at the end of the finish line:

Posted Results from races:

http://www.ablsa.org/BRNCresults10910.pdf

Mixed Breed Dog Club of California Mini Mutt Match, 9/26/10, Milpitas, CA

2010-09-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

Mixed Breed Dog Club of California Mini Mutt Match, 9/26/10, Milpitas, CA

Results page per the Mixed Breed Dog Club of California:
http://mixedbreedclubca.org/events/past/20100926-mini-mutt-match

Best Mixed Breed:

First Mixed Breed Rally Novice Leg:

Dino ASCA Rally Novice, Cayucos, CA, September 6, 2010

2010-09-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

Dino ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club), First Rally Novice Leg, Cayucos, CA, September 6, 2010

Dino, Second RAE leg, Mensona Kennel Club, Santa Rosa, August 29, 2010

2010-08-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

Dino, Excellent Rally, Mensona Kennel Club, Santa Rosa, August 29, 2010

Rally Advanced:

Truckee Meadow Dog Training Club, Reno, August 22-25, 2010

2010-08-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

Rally Excellent, Third Leg and RE title, 98 Score, Second Place, Friday

Rally Advanced, First RAE Leg, Score 99, Third Place, Saturday

Rally Obedience, Salt Lake City, June 12 and 13, 2010

2010-06-28T00:29:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 13, 2010, Rally Excellent First Leg

Saturday, June 12, 2010, Rally Advanced Third Leg and Title

All Breed Lure Sports Association, Sprint Race, June 19 and 20, 2010, Fairfield and Livermore, CA

2010-06-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

All photos by Jim Bayby at: www.jbagbyphotos.com

The weather gods were good to us this past weekend and provided two days of lovely spring weather; perfect for the dogs and perfect for us too!

Saturday saw an entry of 30 dogs. We had lots of FTE's (first time entered) join us including a very enthusiastic Border Collie named Ripley who comes from a family of racing whippets. Ripley was so happy to finally have a day of racing for himself and we hope he and Lynne will continue to come race with us in the future!

Also joining us for the first time were the Silken Windhounds. We had an entry of 9 silkens, all seasoned racers.

All official results can be found on the ABLSA website, but here is a breakdown of the day's events:

Dachshunds
1. Bandit, 22 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Leeroy Jenkins, 16 meet points, 1 SR1 leg

Mixed Div A
1. Didi (American Pit Bull Terrier), 22 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Chip (Labrador Retriever), 16 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Teja (Presa Canario), 7 meet points

Mixed Div B
1. Dot (Mixed Breed), 22 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Zooey (Jack Russell Terrier), 16 meet points, 1 SR1 leg

Mixed Div C
1. Lilly (Mixed Breed), 20 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Robin (Pembroke Welsh Corgi), 18 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Ed (Cairn Terrier), 4 meet points

Mixed Div D
1. Cuda (McNab), 22 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Ripley (Border Collie), 16 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Dino (Mixed Breed), 11 meet points, 1 SR1 leg

Norwich Terriers
1. Arlie, 14 meet points
2. Devie, 10 meet points
3. Addi, 0 meet points

Patterdale Terriers
1. Brass, 22 meet points, 1 SRCh points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Tara, 16 meet points, 0.5 SRCh points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Cyra, 11 meet points, 1 SR1 leg

Rat Terriers
1. Gunner, 20 meet points, 1 SRCh points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Opal, 18 meet points, 0.5 SRCh points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Beryl, 11 meet points, 1 SR1 leg

Silken Windhounds
1. Helios SRCX, 20 meet points, 3 NRC points
2. Djinn SRCX, 18 meet points, 1.5 NRC points
3. Tara SRC, 12 meet points, 0.5 NRC points
4. Brewer SRC, 11 meet points
5. Eden, 11 meet points, 2 SRC points
6. Dresden SRC, 10 meet points
7. Mocha, 10 meet points, 1 SRC point
8. Lili, 9 meet points
9. Jacob, 8 meet points

On Sunday we had another beautiful day of spring weather in Livermore. We also had a larger entry of 34 eager dogs all ready to burn rubber on the race track!

The mixed breeds came in droves, resulting in three separate Mixed Breed breed stakes. Dot headed the team of 16 inch MB's with a strong High Score finish, while the ever determined little Lola lead the team of MB shorties with her first High Score in meet. Cindee showed newcomer Peaches how it's done with a perfect score of 22 meet points, but even though she's a newcomer Peaches pulled off one of best FTE runs of the day; way to go Peaches!

Robin the Corgi took home his first High Score award in our Mixed Div B and little Leeroy the dachshund ran a personal best against his buddy Bandit for a second place finish. Our Mixed Div C saw two strong running FTEs, Ranger the Mini Schnauzer and Squeak the JRT. Ranger took home the high score ribbon but I think Squeak will be giving him a run for his money from now on!

Two of our Norwiches finally took home their first SRCh points and SR1/SR2 legs as did the Tollers, led by big boy Drake. The Cairns made their breed stake debut this weekend as well. We hope to see more of them in the future!

We had an entry of 6 silkens on Sunday, and Helios surprised no one by taking home yet another High Score in meet.

Cairn Terriers
1. Ed, 20 meet points
2. Bingo, 8 meet points
3. Honey, 0 meet points

Mixed Div A
1. Didi (American Pit Bull Terrier), 22 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Dino (Mixed Breed), 16 meet points, 1 SR1 leg

Mixed Div B
1. Robin (Pembroke Welsh Corgi), 22 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Leeroy Jenkins (Dachshund), 15 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Bandit (Dachshund), 12 meet points, 1 SR1 leg

Mixed Div C
1. Ranger (Mini Schnauzer), 20 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Squeak (Jack Russell Terrier), 18 meet points, 1 SR1 leg

Mixed Breed A
1. Lola, 20 meet points, 1 SRCh point, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Lilly, 18 meet points, 0.5 SRCh points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Little Jack, 4 meet points

Mixed Breed B
1. Dot, 20 meet points, 1 SRCh point, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Shadow, 18 meet points, 0.5 SRCh points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Bailey, 3 meet points

Mixed Breed C
1. Cindee, 22 meet points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Peaches, 16 meet points, 1 SR1 leg

Norwich Terriers
1. Arlie, 22 meet points, 1 SRCh point, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Devie, 16 meet points, 0.5 SRCh points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Addi, 4 meet points

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
1. Drake, 22 meet points, 1 SRCh point, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Fern, 16 meet points, 0.5 SRCh points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Rio, 11 meet points, 1 SR1 leg

Rat Terriers
1. Opal, 22 meet points, 1 SRCh point, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
2. Beryl, 15 meet points, 0.5 SRCh points, 1 SR1 leg, 1 SR2 leg
3. Penelope, 12 meet points, 1 SR1 leg
4. Vivian, 2 meet points

Silken Windhounds
1. Helios SRCX, 22 meet points, 2 NRC points
2. Storm SRC, 16 meet points, 1 NRC points
3. Eden,12 meet points, 1 SRC points
4. Jacob, 11 meet points, 0.5 SRC points
5. Lili, 9 meet points
6. Mocha, 8 meet points

Rally Obedience, May 29, 30, 31, 2010, Placerville, CA

2010-06-09T11:38:00.000-07:00

This is Dino's Third Rally Novice Leg and his title. Saturday, May 29, 2010.

This is Dino in Advanced Rally, earning his first leg and first place. Sunday, May 30, 2010

This is a person playing bagpipes for Monday, May 31, 2010

This is Dino in Rally Advanced earning his second Leg. Monday, May 31, 2010 and first place. See photo below with judge.

Bloodhound in Rally, completing Advanced Title in Placerville

Borzoi Rescue All K9 Races, April 10 and 11, 2010, Sloughhouse, CA

2010-05-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

All Photos by Dave Mills at www.pixf.com

Saturday Results:

All Other K9s

Group One: Bandit, Leeroy Jenkins, Arlie, Lilly

Group Two: Echo, Opal, Prince, Beryl

Group Three: Dot, Chip, Abner

Group Four: Didi, QTip, Dino

Sunday Results:

All Other K9s

Group One: Didi, Dot, Chip, Dino

Group Two: Opal, Beryl, Arlie

Group Three: Bandit, Leeroy Jenkins

All Breed Lure Sports Association Inaugural Sprint Race, May 9, 2010

2010-05-09T21:15:00.000-07:00

All photos by Dave Mills. www.pixf.com

Results:
http://ablsa.webs.com/InauguralResults.pdf

New Video with Dot, Dino and Mercury

2010-04-05T00:48:00.000-07:00

"Two Dogs, A Cat and A Computer" by The Social Pet

Conformation, March 28, 2010, Rancho Cordova

2010-03-29T04:24:00.000-07:00

Best in Show Competition for Great Pyreneese Fun Match

Rally Obedience Training/Showing

2010-03-29T04:11:00.000-07:00

Deep Peninsula Dog Training Club Rally Trial, Hayward, CA, June 28, 2010

Second Excellent leg

Second Place (no video available)

Oakland Dog Training Club, May 23, 2010, Hayward CA
Fourth Place with a score of 99 in Rally Novice B.
This is a photo with Dino and his ribbon.

Mission Trail Poodle Rally, May 16, 2010, Gilroy, Ca,
Rally Novice B, First AKC show, Score of 98 and Third Place, First leg. Very hot!

My friend Kitty and her dog Diva, also in Gilroy doing Excellent Rally and Advanced. The video creation is mine.

Braveheart Dog Training Drop In Rally Training Monday night:
With Braveheart Dog Training in San Leandro, we are attending their drop in Rally training on Monday nights.

We are also going to practices at Oakland Dog Training Club in El Cerrito on Tuesday and Fremont Dog Training on Thursday and San Lorenzo Dog Training on Friday nights.

First Fun Match - Sunday, March 21, 2010, Oakland Dog Training Club Fun Match, Hayward, CA:
This was our first practice match in Rally. I thought Dino did great. It was pretty warm by the time we got into the ring in the afternoon. We ran twice, one after the other.

Great Pyrenees Fun Match, Sunday, March 28, 2010, Rancho Cordova

Central Valley Rat Terrier Club UKC Rally Trial, April 16, 17, 18, 2010, Modesto, CA
We entered Rally and weight pulling all three days. Dot was also entered into weight pulling all three days. We qualified all three days in weight pulling and Rally, earning the UWP and URO1. Here are a couple of videos taken by Audrey showing Rally and Weight Pulling.

Borzoi Rescue Straight Racing, Sloughhouse, CA

2009-12-27T03:09:00.001-08:00

All photos by Dave Mills at www.pixf.com.

Dino Weight Pulling

2009-11-01T09:22:00.001-08:00

Weight Pull Training, Loomis, CA

Central Valley Rat Terrier Club UKC Rally Trial, April 16, 17, 18, 2010, Modesto, CA
We entered Rally and weight pulling all three days. Dot was also entered into weight pulling all three days. We qualified all three days in weight pulling and Rally, earning the UWP and URO1. Here are a couple of videos taken by Audrey showing Rally and Weight Pullin

Wags for Wishes, Chula Vista CA, July 2009

2009-10-13T13:07:00.001-07:00

If you can view the slideshow, click here: http://w891.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w891.photobucket.com/albums/ac117/thesocialpet/220962b2.pbw

All photos by http://www.lurepix.com/

Friday:
1. Dot, Gizmo (JRT) and Dino - First place for Dot
2. Dot and Gizmo - First place for Dot

Saturday:
1. Dot, Gizmo, Pomeranian and Dino - First place for Dot
2. Dot, Springer, Wheaten, and Dino - First place for Dot, second place for Dino
3. Gizmo and Dino - First place for Dino
4. Dot, Gizmo and Dino - First place for Dot
5. Dot, Gizmo and Australian Terrier - Second place for Dot (first for Gizmo)
Sunday:
1. Dot, Cocker Spaniel and Tibetian Terrier - First place for Dot
2. Dot and Labrador - First place for Dot
3. Dot and Labrador - Second place for Dot

Oval Track Racing, Napa

2009-08-30T13:28:00.001-07:00

This morning we drove to Napa for oval track racing. The landowner raises and trains Greyhounds and they have built and designed a oval track in the back field of their property. Today was the second time we did this type of training.

The first time, Dino completed the track once, but then turned around half way and came back. This time, I raced them both together three times. The first two times, Dino did the whole track all the way around. I was thrilled. Of course, Dot was faster. That is a given, but I am glad he did not give up and walk away. He finished the whole track both times and even went to the lure and tried to tear it up. That would be difficult since he is wearing a muzzle.

Not only did he finish two out of three tracks, but he was also enthusiastic about going into the box and came out strong both times. Other times, he was unsure about the box. He is figuring out what is happening.

The third race I wanted to try something different. I wanted to hand slip them and not put them in the boxes. I wanted to have Dino go first to give him a head start and then have Dot catch up with him to give her some competition. Dino went out fast as first, and then I released Dot. However, before Dot could catch up with him, Dino turned around and came back. I think he was confused about what was happening. I told him to go catch the lure. He started to and then realized it was coming around the back end and decided to catch it there in front of Dot. He caught the lure on the way back and then went all the way to the end where Dot was. I think he was confused about what was happening, so I will try it again next time.

The weather was sunny, but not hot. There was a good breeze.

Dino Follows Five Week Old Track!

2009-07-31T14:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, July 30, 2009, Dino followed the multiple tracks of a cat that has been missing for at least five weeks old in Sonoma County. And that was his second multiple hour track of the day!

I initially went to their home to track their missing Pug, Maya, who had been missing for almost 48 hours. On my way there I received a call that Maya had been found. I asked if I could do Maya's track anyway to see where she had been, and I could use that as a training track for my dog, Dot, who has been in training and going on tracks with Dino as moral support for a couple of months.

The daughter went along with me, and she was totally surprised when Maya's track led us on a multiple hour search around parks, creeks, soccer field, more creeks, moble home parks, etc, etc, etc. After about four hours, Dino indicated the track was still ahead of us, so we decided to head back and rest.

I went to get lunch and a big Diet Coke. I hosed off Dino and started him on the track for the missing cat, Stewie/Stewart. The guess by the owner was that Stewie had been trapped by a neighbor and not taken to a shelter since multiple cats had been missing over a couple of weeks time. We did find two solid tracks that started from their home went around a couple of blocks and through a school and then back home. I figured those were Stewie's regular territory. I check in all other directions and no scent was indicated except for two spots. One down the end of a street in the mobile home park and one across the street. The daughter was unable to go along with me since she had to go to work.

I talked to the daughter this morning and told her what I found. She did confirm she was aware of the two tracks. She had thought those were Stewie's territory. I told her about the two unknown directions, and she said she would look into them. I told her that Dino did not indicate any scent near the house where she thought the trapping was going on. Not to say he didn't get through from a fence, but he was not entering from the street.

The environment is suburban and the temperatures have been averaging 80 to 90 everyday for several weeks.

I was so happy with Dino.

PS Dot did great on the track of Maya's at the end of the day. She got all the turns and all the zigzags through a large weeded field near a park.. Her main distraction is barking dogs in other yards as we walk by. I think a clicker and treats while on tracks will help with that

Reading from Susan Pipes

2009-07-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

This is a intuitive reading that my friend Susan Pipes did for Dino. Her website is: www.animalspiritcommunication.com

Dino

Dino is faithful, grateful and happy. He likes his toys, playing, running and his family. He is understanding his family more now than before but their seems to be some position changing in pecking order sometimes.

He is a working dog and loves to be appreciated for what he does. He feels that he is doing what he has always wanted to. Work and be of service. I see that as a mirror of you Jackie. You are a team. That is important to him.

I did a body scan and picked up some pain, a sharp pain in his front left paw or pads. It seems to be a little intermittent but nevertheless there is something there. He may lick it a lot.

Dino can be a little high stress and anticipates what is coming up, he gets excited. Perhaps telling him far in advance of an activity may help and he has more time to think about it and get used to the idea more.

He like pig ears and a pepperoni stick looking treat. He also gets dog food (kibble) treats and that is ok too. It means you love and appreciate me. He likes his bowl of fresh water in a stainless steel bowl, and he likes to sleep with Jackie. He would like to be closer for sleeping but there is not a lot of space. Others sleep closer to you.

His message for you Jackie - He says "that you work hard, (I see you thinking intensely) and need to think about the big picture. It will all come together, everything will all be like a ball and roll easily. He shows me a pic of the planet earth saying it all comes together. He also says that we still need to watch for cars. They can be dangerous and unpredictable and may hurt the family again. He wants you to tell people that he likes to work. He wants you to show them what he does - like a demo of his skills. He is very proud. Be focused on the things that bring in money, it makes you smile."

Soquel, CA May 17, 2009

2009-05-20T07:15:00.000-07:00

Coastal Dog Owners Group and Living With Dogs had their big Spring Dog Festival. This was the first time I had attended. I had just heard about it about three weeks prior. I came back a day early from vacation to attend this.

Dot ran several times in the Terrier races. She looked like she was having a great time. She her blog for more information.

Dino ran the lure course several times throughout the day, sometimes with Dot and sometimes by himself. He was very animated and excited and fast. He did great.

2009-02-01T03:07:00.000-08:00

Dino lure coursing

Dino lure coursing

Dino and one of his Best Mixed Breed wins

Dino and one of his Best Mixed Breed wins.

September 16, 2008

2009-01-02T03:50:00.000-08:00

While I was at the Tops Spermarket, I took Scout out to set a track for Dino. I parked athe car behind a Burger King. I walked Scout out the lot, across the street and around some buildings and then back onto the street. I then walked up ont the street and along the sidewalk. I walked down the street to the end of the shopping center. At the end of the shopping center I made a right rurn, back toward the center. Then I made a right back toward the car. I then made a left heading toward the Longs store. . In front of the store I made a right turn and walked in front of several stores, and then I made a right turn back toward the car.

I took Dino out and put on his harness. He was excited and looking arond for something to start searching for. I walked him directly across the street and cut into Scout's trail. I told him "take scent" as I showed him the apper towel with her scent. He pickedj up the trail right away and started to follow it. He went around the building and out onto the street. He crossed the street and went to the sidewalk. Along this sidewalk he seemed to get distracted and wanted to cuut across the bushes. he did this numerous times. I couldn't tell if the was getting bored, which he hadn't done in the past. I couldn't telll if he thought the trail was in that direction. I did the rgular thing, which was to stop hkm and let him figure out that the scent wasn't in that direction. When he went straight again along the trail, I would praise him. But then he would cut into the bushes again.

Later on I thought hat he was loosing interest because there wasn't food. I thought about using a clicker with treats in the future when he gets turns and tough spots. I will try that to help him out.

August 22, 2008

2009-01-01T23:09:00.000-08:00

This was an email I sent to Donna:

I wanted to tell you about a fascinating training session I had with Dino today.

I had to go to San Mateo to pick something up. I stopped in a nearby neighborhood, parked the car and got Mercury out of the back. I walked with him in his carrier straight up the street away from the car, in the direction the car was facing. These are very long blocks. I crossed the next street and kept walking straight. At the next corner I made a right still on the same side of the street. I made a right at the next turn and went down the street. At the corner I crossed the street and, instead of making a sharp right across the street to head back towards the car. I made a diagonal in the same direction between some bushes. I went back down to the corner. My car was to my left half way down the block. I crossed the street again and made a left to go back down the street towards my car. I crossed back across the street to the back of my car and put Mercury inside.

I took Dino out and headed back down the street, away from my car, and away from where I laid Mercury's scent. I made a right at the next corner, a right at the next corner, crossed the next street, walked down to the end of the next corner and made a right and went down the street to the next block and crossed the street. This would put us at the top of where Mercury's scent was. I had taken a paper towel and rubbed it on Mercury before taking him out and walking him around. I had that in my pocket and showed it to Dino and said "take scent." His eyes seemed to pop out and his head was swinging back and forth looking for something. He turned and immediately went down the street on the route around the block where I walked Mercury. He was definitely following something. He made the turn at the next right and kept going. He did make some deviations to roll on the nice, lush lawns like Loki does. I said "get to work" and stayed behind him on the sidewalk and he kept going.

He crossed the street at the next corner, and started to go straight when he suddenly turned to the right and went down the street back toward my car. When he hit the point where I crossed diagonal onto the street he started moving faster. he had been going at a pretty fast pace before to make me jog to keep up with him.

The next corner is where he had problems for two reasons. As he approached the next corner, a woman was walking slowly along the same path. He caught up to her. The sidewalk was very narrow, so I didn't want to pass her and it was very narrow. I tried to slow him down without discouraging him or giving him a negative correction. He seemed to get distracted and confused by me doing this and now this person was directly in front of him. He lost his concentration and started to follow the lady right behind her. I wasn't surprised because he has done this in the past. He is so friendly with people that he just keeps following them event though I go in another direction. I let him cross the street because the scent was also in the area. When we got about twenty feet past the scent and he was still following this woman, I gently slowed him down and brought him back to the corner where the scent went in two directions (where we had just come from and back to the car). He was confused. He appeared to pick up both, and he sat and looked up at me. Without saying anything I started to walk slowly in the direction of the car, and then he took off in a fast pace again. He got to the location just across the street from the car, and kept going. then he stopped and came back. I had to stop him because there were several cars passing by. Once the cars passed, he darted over to the back of the car and jumped up on the tailgate to get inside. I made the tiny mistake of not opening up the back to let him get to Mercury, but I was so excited about what he just did. I just took out his rawhide and started throwing it. Dino was very excited.

August 2, 2008

2009-01-01T22:29:00.000-08:00

Friday at Memorial Park in Hayward

I laid a track for Dino up a set up stone steps, through a picnic area, down another set of stone steps, over some concrete with a couple of turns to gravel where I put the treats very close together. He got a bit lost from the stone steps to the picnic area, but he eventually got it. Everything else went great. He is definitely sniffing to find where he needs to go, and keeping him interested.

Then I took Mercury in his cage around some building and through some trees and around another building and hid him on the side of a building. Dino followed him really well around the building and through the trees and around the cars and around the building right to him. it was great.

July 31, 2008

2009-01-01T22:20:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday I met Donna in Crocket after the Splash Dog Event in Santa Rosa. I laid a track for Dino on a concrete path with 1 1/2 steps, then two steps, then three steps. I then walked on the grass of the field and placed his toy. He followed the track really well and then wanted to keep going onto the grass where I walked, but no treat. I then had the toy for him at the end.

Then I walked Dino around to set a track for Loki. Then I put Dino through the above track. Then Donna laid a track for Annubis.

On the same track that Annubis was on, I put one down for Din, but I extended it longer with turns with and without treats and then at the end I put no treats for several feet where I walked, and then put the toy at the end. He did great and was following the track without the food.

Saturday, I took Dino to a business park in Dublin after getting Mercury's shots. We did a single long track with turns, curves, turns with treats and without. There was jackrabbits and squirrels nearby. He was right on the track the whole way. He followed it across the an bark and to his toy wit the treats. I still had a hard time getting him interested in the tennis ball. He seemed to want to keep following the trail which I did back to the car where Mercury was. We repeated the track and he picked up more treats. He still followed it but he was a bit more rough, but he was still following something.

July 22, 2008

2009-01-01T22:16:00.000-08:00

I worked Dino twice in tracking over the weekend while on lunch break at Petaluma agility show.

Tracks were on concrete paths in a busy fairground. Some parts were straight (beginning legs) and then I would make a right or left turn and then fade into wide curves at two steps. He got all them dead on. He never lifted his head. On the last track on Sunday, we went into gravel from concrete. I think he was inhaling the gravel, but he stayed on the track. He even found it when I couldn't see it. The turns were tighter curves at two steps. He did great.

July 16, 2008

2009-01-01T22:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I took Dino to Memorial Park and did three tracks. One was at the girl scout cabin with a right turn, up a set of short steps and to the left. He did great. The last leg was with two steps. then down in the park, I did a left urn up some steps to the bandstand and straight ahead. He did great. He followed them right up the stairs. I did 1/2 steps up the stairs.

On the last track I did 1/2 steps all the way up a long set of stone steps. He did great all the way up.

I did discover that he was inhaling my hairbands when he was "taking scent" in the beginning. I had him vomit when I got back home and I found them both.

July 15, 2008

2009-01-01T22:01:00.000-08:00

I went on a search for a dog today in Albany. It was at 2:30, so I brought Dino and Mercury to do training afterwards.

The search for the dog went several miles all the way to the water starting at near the hills. Halfway through, I decided to walk back to get my truck because I wasn't sure how the shade was. I walked back and then met Donna where she had walked to. I drove behind her for several blocks, then picked up her and the dogs and drove to the lagoon at the park where we picked up the scent again.

I parked my truck at a private lot and Donna followed the trail around the lagoon and I drove the other way, parked and walked the other direction.

After the search, we took Dino out and set up a track with a right and then a left turn. the steps were one full step in the straight, then 1/2 step at the turns. At the last leg, we spread it out to two steps, then three steps. He did seem to loose the track at three steps, so I will go back to two steps on the last leg for now.

Then Donna laid a track and hid behind some parked cars. Her phone earpiece was at the start. He followed the track right to her. Donna said there were two cats in one of the cars, and I asked Dino to "Find Felix." He found them pretty quickly.

Then Donna took Mercury and walked him down a path and I had Dino follow him. He practically ran there. He was definitely following the scent. Then Donna walked him down the path again, and Dino found him pretty quickly. He was more air scenting but he did have his nose to the ground some of the time.

Then Donna took Mercury to another spot on the street and tied him up. She had me walk Dino past the spot where Mercury was tied. Dino had to jump up onto a ledge and then found him. Mercury was so cute and such a good sport about everything. He was great on the leash and walking.

July 3, 2008

2009-01-01T21:40:00.000-08:00

Met with Donna at Briones Park to walk dogs and train. We laid a track with Scout for Loki. Then we went for a walk through the park. Scout zeroed in on a small lake where a woman was playing with her dogs. Scout started to chase the ball into the lake and would not stop. I had to eventually drag her away and put her on leash.

After, we took Loki around on the track to find Scout. He did great.

Then we took Dino to a park headquarters parking lot to work on tracks. I told Donna about yesterday when I took Dino to Memorial Park and laid three tracks with right hand turns. He did the first leg fine, got a bit loose on the turns and then lost the second leg on all three tracks. I started to move the kibble closer, but he still looked like he wasn't tracking, but trying to find the kibble.

So today, I showed her a similar track from what I did with Dino yesterday with a right hand turn, and the track was very sloppy. So we tried some other tracks.

1. First leg 1 1/2 steps apart. 1/2 step apart on left turn and 1 1/2 apart on second leg. Single pieces of kibble. Strong on both legs.

2. First leg 1 1/2 steps apart, 1/2 steps apart on right turn and 1 1/2 steps apart on second leg. Donna laid track with small piles. Strong on both legs.

3. First leg 1 1/2 steps apart, 1/2 steps on left turn and 1 1/2 steps apart on second leg. Small piles of kibble. Very strong on both legs. Left some kibble and let him go back and do small track again to pick up extras.

Let leash loose so it is not tight while he is pulling.

For next track continue with small piles. On first track, see how he does. On second track compare to first. Which ever was worse, then do again with either left or right turn over same track. Continue with small piles and 1 1/2 steps and 1/2 steps on corners.

June 29, 2008

2009-01-01T21:12:00.000-08:00

I got a kitten two days ago on Friday evening so I can train Dino for cat detection. Hopefully, I can use him to train other dogs in the future.

Today, Sunday, I went out on a search in Larkspur with Donna with her two dogs, I brought Dino along to train with afterwards. During the search we found a cat under a house nearby. After the search, I took Din over there while Donna set up the trap. Dino went right to the area and definitely smelled the cat. He was also interested in the tuna Donna had along.

After we left that house we went to a shopping center nearby to set a trail for Loki and then work Dino. We walked all around the center to lay a trail for Loki. When we got to a part of the center in the back, we ran Dino through these runs:

1. Kibble 1 1/2 feet apart in a wide inverted "C"
2. Kibble 1 1/2 feet apart in a wide "S" pattern
3. Kibble 1 1/2 feet apart in a wide inverted "C"
4. Kibble 1 1/2 feet apart for about 10 feet, closer toward the left turn, then a left turn, keeping the kibble close for about one feet and then back to 1 1/2 feet apart for another 10 feet.

He did really good on the tracks, closely following along and finding the kibble.

To work on:
1. Same as #4 over and over until solid and following track
2. At the start, put down my scent article (hairband), putting kibble about 1 1/2 foot apart for 10 feet, making closer for 1/2 foot near left turn and then back to 1 1/2 foot for another 10 feet to end.
3. Same left turn for ten feet, left turn and then another 10 feet. During the 10 feet, place the kibble random like maybe at 1/2 foot, then maybe at one foot, then back to 1/2 foot and then up to 1 1/2 foot.

MAR Dog Training Begins

2009-01-01T20:56:00.000-08:00

The posts from this point on are about Dino's MAR dog training that are not covered in his MAR dog training posts because of the dates. I am not able to add dates prior to the existing dates, so I was not able to go back to add these in.

So in June 2008 in San Jose I took Dino to a seminar put on by Missing Pet Partnership (www.missingpetpartnership.org). They train the handler to search for missing pets with the help of a search dog. They also teach you about lost pet behavior and what to look for in a lost pet. It was fascinating, and I brought Dino with me and they tested him on the basics on how he likes cats and other dogs. They wanted to know if he would be good to look for cats and dogs both or just cats or just dogs. They definitely thought he would be a great dual-purpose dog because of his all around personality with both dogs and cats. The seminar was six days. I drove back and forth from Hayward. It was wonderful. I had a great time, and I couldn't wait to start Dino on his training. I would be working with Donna, the person who taught the seminar. She has two dogs she uses for her searches and her full time business of looking for lost pets.

CGC, Temperament Tests, Conformation, Rally, Specialty, Photography, Racing

2009-01-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

I have a bit of catching up to do with Dino's training. I obviously have not written anything since his agility class last year. His class went really well. He definitely would do well in agility, but I think Dino would do well in anything. I decided not to focus specifically on agility with him because I wanted to try some other things with him.

We did the CGC training and test also with Vicki. The training went very well. Everything moved along well without any problems. I had absolutely not indications that there would be any problems. We barely got to the third test of the tester trying to groom him, We did not even get to the grooming because Dino would not stop jumping on the tester. I told him "sit" numerous times and he totally ignored me. I was so embarrassed. That essentially failed the test. We couldn't go any further. After all that training and preparation. I was absolutely totally stunned and in disbelief. I was furious. I got out the that room so fast. I was late to get to a dog show in Turlock, so I just got out of there as fast as possible.

The temperament test went well. Both dogs passed with high scores. I stayed for the rest of the day to photograph the rest of the dogs. Sold a lot of pictures.

Up until the National Specialty in Oregon at the end of October, Scout finished her RE at Gilroy Golden Retriever show. I also showed both dogs in conformation. They were the only mixed breeds in Conformation that day.

Dino won two more Best Mixed Breeds before the Specialty.

We drove to the Specialty in Cornelius Oregon just south of Portland. The first night we stayed in a campsite and practically froze. The next night I was able to stay in Cindy's camper on her property. It was much better and warmer. I was also able to look at all the pictures I took that day and recharge my batteries.

In Conformation both days Dino took first place in his class and then took Point dog both days. On Saturday he got fourth place in the Best Mixed category. On Sunday, he got third! I was totally thrilled. I couldn't believe it. The ribbons were huge!

We haven't done anything since then because I have been shooting shows almost every weekend. I did have Dorothy show him one day because I had to shoot on Irish Wolfhound show. He did not place. I was bummed because he placed behind two novice dogs who he could have beat if I handled him. I was not happy with waht Dorothy did. Plus the judge said he was overweight. He immediately went on a diet. So far he has lost three pounds.

I don't know the next time I will show him.

I have been practicing with Dino at races I have been shooting at, and he was getting better. On April 6 I entered him in some straight races in Sloughhouse. We had three races in one day. It was the first time he had worn a muzzle in a race. I have been practicing with the muzzle with clicker training and he was OK with it. It was also the first time he had a blanket with a number on h im. The first two times I walked with him down to the start and then had him see me walk to the finish. On the third I had somebody walk him to the start and I went directly to the finish. He finished all three races which I was very happy about. I didn't know how he would do. I think having the other dogs there ahead of him to direct him toward the finish helped a lot, compared to just running by himself.

I think I will continue to practice with him on the racing. There are no competitive races with non-sighthound except what Sally does at her place. No other place does that. I am trying to organize some races this summer with a person from an Irish Wolfhound club to run all breed practices and races. We are still working on it. I would like to start a registry for all breeds not recognized by the other race groups (ASFA, AKC, NOTRA or LGRA).

Dino's Agility class at Braveheart Dog Training

2009-01-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

Dino's Agility class:

Six week class. Started with just little things like targeting and turns. Then started on weave poles, tunnels, jumps. Dino did real good. He really enjoyed the obstacles and the action. On the last class we did sequences with all the obstacles. Dino was very excited and fast. We will sign up for classes with Kathryn Horn eventually. The beginning class is at 7PM on Thursday. Currently, I am working until 7 PM and I don't feel comfortable asking to get off early at this point. However, next week, Suzanne wants me to start at 11 AM to 6 PM, so I will be able to do the class. I wanted her to do that on her own without me asking. Also, the class is $120, so, since I am taking the agility class with Vicki and the CGC class, I need to wait for a few weeks for the money and the time. I want to give Dino the time properly and that will be difficult with the two classes on Saturday.

Sheepherding Training

2009-01-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

Need to work on Wednesday:

1. Walking up to the sheep to direct Dino where to go
2. Walking back and forth from one end of the pen and back
3. Keeping back along fence to follow sheep around.
4. Stop eating poop
5. Keep moving and not stopping

A lot of starting and stopping from Dino. A lot of eating of poop. He was just doing the half pen and not running the full pen all the way around.

We worked him four times. One was with just myself.

Obedience Class and Real Life Situation

2009-01-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

Last class went well. We practiced a few more things. I was surprised that many people in the class didn't show up for the last class. We didn't stay for the second class because I was too tired.

That morning was pretty rough. I was walking the dogs as usual in the AM. I came across a man that I usually see. Dino went to see him and was very excited. He kept jumping on this man even though I was telling him to sit several times. I finally got so frustrated that I just pulled him off to the side not letting him see this guy more. I got so frustrated that I got mad at Dino for embarrassing me. I told this to Vicki later that night after class. She said what I did was fine to pull Dino off to the side and not let him keep ignoring me to ask him to sit. She said to ask him only once and then if he doesn't do it, then pull him away from getting more attention.

I think that will work fine. I know he will have a hard time at first because he gets so excited, but eventually he will get it.

Obedience Class

2009-01-01T19:38:00.000-08:00

Dino did good. We were a few minutes late because I fell asleep until 6:30 PM. We needed a lot of repetition to get to the front door and inside. The other dogs were very wild and Dino fed upon that. He had a hard time focusing but once he remembered about the click and food he was more focused.

We stayed for the second class. I thought everything went well, but when I got home there was an email from Vicki that she didn't think he was able to do the second class. But, I was confused because he was doing very well. I don't know what she was talking about and I wanted to email her back.

He was focused on the heeling and sometimes we would go off to the side to work on attention.

Next Thursday is the last class, then we can start in the drop in obedience and Rally on Thursday.

Obedience Class

2008-12-16T23:17:00.000-08:00

He was definitely doing better by lying on the mat with the chicken. He was really cute and trying different things and then would lye on the mat. We worked on recalls with the assistant in the middle and me calling Dino. He responded pretty good. Heeling was better. I was just doing small, short steps with the treat at my left side and him looking up. By the time we got to the second class at 8 PM his heeling was weaker, so I just went off to the side while the others were heeling and we worked on attention and stays. We started on stands which I have done with him in the past. I am not putting a cue on it yet. Just backing up into him until he stands.

Herding training in Santa Rosa

2008-12-16T23:11:00.000-08:00

I didn't get there until 3 PM because I slept late because I didn't get to sleep Sunday morning until 8 AM. Working on book.

I think I should work Dino before going into the pen because he is so pumped up and not paying attention. I can walk him around the yard doing some heeling and downs and sits. I wasn't sure if this would diminish his drive but I think it would put some focus on him.

Joyce said it didn't look like he was really herding, just chasing the sheep and he kept fading in attention. We had to keep pulling him back. She suggested that he may need some maturity and focus before he would be ready for any competition. She suggested coming about once a month to see how his maturity is coming.

There is a trial at her place June 2 and 3. She suggested doing a Herding Instinct test with Dino. I would definitely be interested.

Second Obedience Class

2008-12-16T23:06:00.000-08:00

Dino's second obedience class. I remembered to bring a mat for him to lie on and I got there early to practice walking on a loose leash to the room. He was doing well and figured out about lying on the rug because I would click and treat when he did that. He was definitely very wound up and excited.

We stayed for the second class.

He is offering the down multiple times. I am not clicking when he is just about to down. I will start to click when I tell him to heel. I am luring him in the heel position and clicking and treating when he is in the correct position.

These classes are great to practice on his focus with distractions. He has to learn that he has to pay attention and do things even with distractions.

Second Bath!

2008-12-16T23:04:00.000-08:00

I was able to give Dino a bath today at work. This was his second since I got him. The first took a half a box of cookies to keep him from screaming and going hysterical. He was much better, but he still was very whiney and anxious. I had some cookies, but I didn't dwell on them. I just kept doing the bath and prasing him and tried to do it as fast as possible.

Obedience Class

2008-12-16T22:03:00.000-08:00

Thursday evening 7 PM. Dino's class. We were late a few minutes. We will be there on time next time. Parking places are a long walk to the building which takes extra time.

I need to remember to bring a mat for him to lay down on. I forgot that in the car.

Vicki used Dino to demonstrate about sitting without a cue, and she tried to use him for another exercise but he was bouncing all over the place so she gave him back to me. We had a problem with the heeling because he was all over the place. I was able to get his attention back with the food, but I think it was good practice because he needs to know how to pay attention with distractions. Later when we were at the Advanced class he had more attention. We were using Vicki's prime rib. I don't know if that helped!

The Advanced class was good. There were very advanced dogs. We did more heeling, figure 8's recalls, stays. Dino's stays were bad. He was only able to stay for a few seconds, but we have not practiced that much in various places so we need more work. That is why we are there. To practice and learn.

We have to practice on having Dino offer the downs as part of learning the down. We practiced the next day outside of work. It took him several minutes. I had to lure him into the down several times, then I waited and he started to offer the down, and he kept doing it. It was really interesting. I have not trained a dog in this method before and it is interesting to see how enthusiastic the dog is to offer different things and to keep trying. I really like it.

Also what I noticed is that if I wait for him to offer sits at doors and other usual sit places, he does it himself instead of having me to ask him, which is really nice. I wonder if those things will stay or eventually fade away. I will ask Vicki.

First Obedience Class

2008-12-14T21:30:00.000-08:00

Dino's first class for basic obedience.

We had our first class, but only I went to it. Dino stayed home because this was all instructions of what kind of training it will be. The class is run by Vicki Ronchette, who owns Braveheart Dog Training. The class is at the San Lorenzo Park in one of the buildings. The training is all clicker and treats, which Dino already knows. On this past Monday I took him out onto the sidewalk on Walpert and we worked walking on a loose leash and learning the heel position. I will be doing things differently with Dino that I did with Scout because Dino is younger and I will be teaching him the obedience exercises. I will do both UKC and Mixed Breed and ASCA obedience. Was a lot looser with Scout because I knew would only be doing Rally.

We got a sheet of a bunch of homework exercises to do with treats and the clicker.

First Herding Lesson

2008-12-14T21:16:00.000-08:00

I scheduled a time at 12 noon to take Dino to Joyce Shepherd in Santa Rosa, a herding trainer recommended by Patti Veligan. She bought her dog, Ace, from Joyce. Joyce breeds Kelpies and Border Collies. She has training every Sunday from 12 to 5. I brought both dogs, but I was only doing the testing with Dino. On the phone I told her I thought Dino was Corgi and Border Collie. when I brought Scout and him out and let them run around in her enclosed yard. She thought he had Basset in him. She said out right she was reluctant about his potential but that she would test him and see what happened. I was pretty nervous after she said that because I was afraid of being embarrassed by him not doing anything.

I brought him on his flat collar into her "round" pen where there were three sheep. Dino was definitely excited about being there and was pulling at the end of the leash.

She explained a few more things before we went in. She would direct him and he was going to be off leash. I was pretty nervous about him being off leash because I know he would chase the sheep. I didn't want him to hurt them.

I let him go and he immediately started chasing the sheep. She said she was very surprised that he seemed to have a strong instinct about what to do and how to turn and how to chase the sheep. He wasn't afraid or hesitant. She was very complimentary of him during that time.

We took a break for a short time to give him some water and to catch his breath. I put him on a chain and tied him to the fence.

About a 1/2 hour later we went back to the same place and did it again. Dino seemed to be bored and more distracted. He was sniffing and peeing and eating poop. He was definitely still interested but seemed more distracted. The pen was pretty small and we kept going around and around.

Joyce had me handle him a bit. I had a hard time understanding what to do and fumbled around.

I definitely want to go back for more training and take Dino as far as possible.

Davis frisbee by Skyhoundz

2008-12-14T21:11:00.000-08:00

Dino did very well. I took him out on Friday to the high school to practice. This was the first time I did the longer throws rather than just up close. He tried to jump up and catch them. I think he caught a couple and missed a couple, but he was really trying. He was getting distracted, so I stopped after a couple of minutes.

On Saturday, I didn't know how he would do. I didn't know if he would run out of the ring or chase another dog or what. But he was focused on the frisbee and we did several throws. I don't think he caught any, but he was trying for each.

The second round was the same. He started to get tired and running back slower, but he was still trying to catch them and chase after them. He never ran out of the ring or chased another dog.

Frisbee Practice

2008-12-14T21:04:00.000-08:00

I took Dino and Scout to the high school to play with the frisbee. It had been a while for Scout. She really enjoyed it though she was sore afterwards, but I know she really liked keeping it away from Dino. Dino just tried to bite her which I repremanded him for doing that. He seemed to feel like he didn't know what to do if he couldn't bite her. I explained to him that I was showing him the game and what to do with the frisbee and that I wanted him to learn from Scout.

The next day I took just him to the high school with the frisbee and tossed it around having him jump up. He really was enjoying it and liked jumping up and catching it. He took it and ran around with it briefly and then I had him come back. I gave him a treat for dropping it. We have been practicing this at home with a toy in the living room and he seemed to put it together. He is still too young to be doing the full running and jumping. His body is not completely formed yet. Maybe not til a year and a half. Right now I can have him chasing it and doing light catches nearby. I think he will be really great at frisbee.

Scared of the Umbrella

2008-11-28T14:07:00.000-08:00

It was raining on 2/9 and I took both dogs out for a quick walk. I used the umbrella and Dino acted like he had never seen it before. I thought he had. Maybe at night when it wasn't such a big deal. Anyway, out in the parking lot he bolted taking the leash with him. I had Scout in one hand and the umbrella in the other. I had to put them both down in the wind and rain to try to get him back. He ran so fast that I couldn't see where he ran. We were in front of the office and he ran down to where the car was. That is probably why he ran down there. He is familiar with that area. By the time I set the umbrella down and put Scout in a sit, I went to find him, but I couldn't see him. I finally found him and he ran toward me, but when I did that he ran leash through a huge mud puddle, which got me mad. I shouldn't have but I got mad. He came to me but I was firm with him instead of being happy like I should have been. We continued the walk.

On the way back I decided to try again to do it better. I showed him the umbrella, opening it and closing it . Again he bolted. He ran under the cars. I called him, but he wouldn't come. I went to him and brought him back. I let the leash go again and tried again. This time he went to go see Dixie who was walking by. I went to him and brought him back. I let the leash go again and he went up to where the 1022 building is. I went to him, but I couldn't catch him. Then he turned it into a "catch me" game and was running around. He ran down to the garbage area. Meanwhile Scout is sitting in the pouring rain. I decided to leave him alone and bring Scout back inside. I saw Dino run back to me when he saw I wasn't chasing him, I brought Scout back and went to find Dino. He was running back toward me and ran to the office when he saw Michelle. I brought him back to the original spot. I let him go again. This time he ran back to 1022 up to the top of the stairs. He saw I wasn't chasing him. I walked back to my apartment and he ran back toward me. I praised him for coming back and then I did it again. He ran back toward the cars. I turned and went back to my apartment. He ran back toward me. I praised him and did it again. He ran back to the cars and stopped to look at some people. This time I didn't say anything. I just turned and walked away. He followed and came back. I praised him and ended it there.

Learning to Stand for Grooming

2008-11-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

I have been teaching Dino stand which has come in handy to grooming him, which he does not like at all. He is very sensitive to having the brush on him. He was doing fine just having me hold him and then he would stand on his own. but he didn't want to to do that today. He stood for a couple of minutes, but then sat down. I figured I could put together his stand with the treat to standing for grooming. That seemed to work well and it helped for him to put the two things together.

Looking into Herding Training

2008-11-28T13:48:00.001-08:00

I went to American Herding Breed Association website, which allows mixed breeds to compete, to look for a trainer. I found the closest trainer in Lodi. They also show under ASCA and other groups. They have a ranch and breed and show Aussies and Border Collies. I emailed them and got a response back that they do private lessons and classes. She said they have a Corgi/Aussie mix also. I thought that was interesting. Once I finish my taxes and turn them in, I will call her for lessons.

Dino's First Two Weeks - January 9, 2006

2008-11-28T13:06:00.000-08:00

Well, the first two weeks were pretty intense with Dino.

When I got Dino he had the name of Sparky. That was a variation of Spooky which is the name the owners had when they turned him in. I had thought keeping the name until I realized how many dogs had that name, including Charlie. I decided on Dino, after Dean Martin. I had like that name for a long time. I realize it is ethnic and unusual, but it really fits him. It is short and quick.

When Georgette brought him to Hayward, to my apartment, Dino had a small abscess on his left side. She pointed it out and said to keep an eye on it. Well, it got bigger over the next couple of days, which were Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Tuesday, I called Irvington and told them. I was able to get a 5 PM appointment. When I brought Dino in, he was not letting anybody take his temperature or touch him. I tried to put a muzzle on him, and he said "No" and fought and freaked out. We had to reschedule for Thursday and I got some tranquilizer and I took the muzzle home to practice with a clicker to put it on.

The next day we worked many times with the clicker and I had him putting his nose into the muzzle and keeping it there for several seconds.

On Thursday morning I gave him the Ace pill and brought the muzzle. I got the muzzle on him and brought him in. At the end of the day I went back to pick him up and head the big E collar on him and four nasty drains in him. Earlier in the day I called Georgette to tell her about the price of $500 to do the surgery and blood test. She OK'd the price since they would be paying for it. Later in the day I got a call from Karen, their bookkeeper at GDR and I gave her the number for Irvington and she paid for it over the phone with them. What a relief not to have to deal with paying for it and having to wait for reimbursement!

The next few days were pretty rough because Dino wanted to keep chewing on the area and it was draining pretty badly and it hurt and it itched. We made it through to Tuesday and having the drains removed that AM. I had the tranquilizer and used the muzzle again, and at the end of the appointment Dr. Rue had me take the muzzle off and Dino went right up to her and sat next to her. It was pretty cute!

The next few days he kept licking the area where the drains were and they slowly closed up. He was still taking the antibiotics to help heal the area. By Saturday we went to the CV dog park and he was able to run around and let loose. He seemed pretty happy.

What a rough few days. Luckily I was home because I couldn't put him in the crate because of the E collar and I couldn't do much training with him because he was so distracted by the draining and collar. We just had to do day-to-day stuff.

I got a halter for him because he is such a puller and oblivious to me. This time there was a DVD that showed how to properly fit it, how to train with it and how to use the leash. They didn't have that when I got the halter for Scout. I learned that I had it too loose and how to make it righter, which really makes a difference so it is not sliding all over his head and face. I even made Scout's tighter around the head because her's was always slipping side to side.

I started to teach Dino how to stand with a clicker. I have to take his photos, but I will need to do it on my own. I can use my film camera and my tripod. Since I have the scanner to email them to Grateful Dogs. He is picking up on it very quickly. I started to add "stand" on the third lesson, and he was responding. Add the hand signal.