Margaret on August 16th, 2013

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Sometimes a litter of puppies might include a “swimmer” and that is a puppy that appears to be unable to stand and try walking like other normal puppies in a litter.  The “swimmer” puppy will have its legs and arms outstretched and be unable to sit and stand like the rest of its litter.   Interesting that the therapy used to help the “swimmer” puppy includes water therapy and swimming. But then again, I think we know that water therapy is good for most conditions.

Most “swimmer” puppies  may be put down once the breeder realises the condition and struggles with the condition but to no avail or the puppy will die on its own. This video and the link below shows hope for this type of puppy.

The background behind the swimmer syndrome is a puppy that seems to be malformed, and unlike its litter mates will remain flat while nursing and have very restricted movement. Normal puppies have lots of movement and will nurse on their sides. The pup with the problem will have a flat chest.

I have heard of, in Barbados recently, a litter of puppies which were all “swimmers” and left behind a disappointed breeder and people who were looking forward to getting a puppy from the litter.  There are various theories as to why a litter has these malformed pups, some say it is genetics, nutrition of the bitch was lacking, the environment in where the puppies were whelped. But I don’t believe that the cause is known for certain.

The earlier the flat chested puppy is discovered, the better the chance the breeder has of trying with it.  Suggestions being to put this pup on a nipple full of milk and when it is sucking, turn it over on its side. It will take patience and supervision but it is important to not allow it to lie flat on its chest with its feet spread out.

Other thoughts which might help could be to massage the “swimmer” puppy’s limbs and body to build muscle tone. If the other puppies have started to try to walk, the “swimmer” could be hobbled.

Here is an excellent article by a Bulldog breeder on how to help a puppy with the swimmer syndrome.

I hope this video and the link above will give new hope to breeders with pups of “swimmer syndrome”.

A pupppy in a very recent litter of a small sized dog was recently saved in Barbados using some of these methods.  It took a lot of time and patience and caring on the breeder’s part and he told me that he plans to keep the puppy which is now walking and running.

The more knowledge a breeder can acquire, the greater the chance of saving puppies and I think it is wonderful that this knowledge can be shared through the internet.

 

 

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Margaret on July 8th, 2013

In an ideal situation, new born puppies are completely taken care of by their mother.   However, sometimes, humans need to step in to help and ensure that in the case where the puppies mother might be unable to feed them successfully, they still  get milk.  A bitch might have mastitis, or another infection, or a large litter of puppies and the weaker pups might easily get pushed aside by stronger siblings.

It is always important to ensure that a new born puppy gets its first milk from its mother as that milk contains colostrum which contain essential antibodies which will protect it against possible bacterial and viral infections.  And afterwards, if the puppies need to get milk other than their mother’s, tubes, or bottle feeding of the puppies may take place.

This video shows another way and seems to be an excellent idea, especially for breeds which are very small.

The bottles used to assist puppies are usually doll type bottles with small rubber nipples which are easy for the newly born puppies to suck from.

The below YouTube video shows a novel idea with a small breed, Yorkshire Terriers, and here the puppy is hand fed as it learns to suck its milk from a sponge.  The video gives details of the various items used in this exercise.  Of course, some of the items might need to be searched for to be obtained but this method seems a good idea for helping to save a puppy’s life.

In Barbados, we might have to be careful about using the bags shown in the video as they might keep the puppy too warm

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Congratulations to Sarah Hamilton and her two Rhodesian Ridgebacks who passed the open, CDX, at trials held through The Barbados Dog Training Club this week.

In the pix. are Ch. Crownridge Red Regent (AI) C.D., C.D.X. and Ch. Broani Chiku at Crownridge, C.D., C.D.X. with their obedience trophies.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks posing with their obedience trophies

Rhodesian Ridgebacks achieving CDX titles in Barbados

The above photo was provided by Sarah Hamilton.

The CDX consists of off leash exercises such as heeling, the figure of eight, drop on recall, retrieval of dumb bell on flat, and also over high jump and broad jump. The sits and stays are for 3 minutes with the handler out of sight and the down stay is for 5 minutes with the handler out of sight. The dog must complete these tasks with the handler using either a voice command or a hand signal.

Passing the final leg C and now achieving the Novice title are Jean Ray’s Golden Retriever, Heidi along with my Tibetan Terrier Tibby.

Congrats to Jean and Heidi and to Tibby.

Tibby, Ch. Araki Miss Conduct at Calliope, achieved a score of 185.5 out of 200. The passmark is 170. So we did improve on the scores for the other legs, A and B and we got a perfect score on the recall and the stand, sit, and down stays. This Tibetan has always done a super fast “come” on a recall. I trained her to improve on her finish in my kitchen with little treats.

We lost our points on the heeling exercises which I must perfect more. It is so important to keep the dog in the ring and focused that I prefer to lose points, especially in the off leash heeling, rather than lose the dog. This is a very fun loving Tibetan Terrier.

Tibetan Terrier and her obedience trophy

Ch. Araki Miss Conduct at Calliope, C.D.

The CD, Novice, has a heel on leash, as well as off leash, with the figure of eight being done on leash. The other exercises are done off leash.

Passing various legs of the Novice trials on June 19, 2013, were Sarah Hamilton with yet another Rhodesian Ridgeback, Amanda Corbin with a Flat Coated Retriever, Jenni Wilson with a Dachshund, Linda Pearson with a German Shepherd dog, Jutta Moore with an Irish Setter, and Sue Blandford with a Papillon.

A very successful evening for participants and the trainer Rosemary Coghlan.

I believe the special beginners would have also had a trial, without scores, at the end of their classes but the puppies/dogs would all be kept on leash.

It seemed like a very nice large class of 13 puppies, all kinds of breeds including mixed breeds, with Jenny Fields doing the basic training, assisted by Jenni Wilson and Lynda Husbands replacing Jenny Fields when Jenny was off the island.

Once the CDX title is achieved, plans can be made to go on and try to achieve the utility title which includes areas such as scent discrimination.

I believe Sarah Hamilton will now work towards the utility title with her Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

There is so much useful dog training information available on the ‘net, through group forums, and other social media forms as well as dvds, and e-books, that a person who understands how to train their dogs and works at it can pass, once they know how to motivate their dog(s) and they understand how to teach the required steps. Of course, it is a lot of work and a challenge at these levels.

These is no formal dog obedience utility training in Barbados that I am aware of but experienced trainers in Barbados, once they pass the C.D.X., can work towards this level.

Utility involves a lot of directional work, and the use of hand signals. This is the final and highest level of obedience titles to achieve.

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My Tibetan Terrier puppy arrived here from the UK at approximately 12.5 weeks of age which was the earliest time she could be shipped. I prefer to get a puppy as early as possible as I enjoy training my dogs and puppies are definitely fun to train. She came from Ken Sinclair of Araki Kennels in the U.K.

When I went to the Airport to collect her and they wheeled her and her crate in, she was standing on her hind legs with her front paws in the air giving off a rather mournful singing. Probably wondering where she was going, as she had left behind a lot of Tibetan Terrier family and friends and was now on her own for the first time. It would have been a long journey for a puppy.

She came in with a registered name Araki Miss Conduct and her pet name in Barbados is Tibby.

When she came inside the veterinary compound, I asked the vet on duty, Dr. Maitland, if I could take her out of her crate and walk her on a leash in the enclosed yard until she and the Customs Officer were ready for her. It is sensible to bring a soft collar and leash to the airport as the vet has to take the puppy out of its crate to be examined. So I took her out and she wagged her tail and stepped out as if she knew everyone in the room! Then she wanted to play with the other dog arrivals which were 2 large adult Newfoundlands The Newfoundland owners told me their dogs were dog friendly and would not hurt her so the Tibetan Terrier puppy was allowed to approach and sniff and she was happy again with her tail wagging. Talking with the Newfoundlands’ female owner, the Newfoundlands have obedience training titles and their owners were aware of this blog and have visited it several times before coming to Barbados. I know Newfoundlands love water and their owners told me they will be just about next door to the sea and also the property they live on has a swimming pool. The owners had to ship these dogs to the UK first (coming from USA/Canada) before their arrival in Barbados. And they arrived in huge wooden crates.

The Tibetan’s flight, through Virgin Airlines, had been delayed, and when we returned home it was late in the evening and it was getting dark. I introduced her first to my 2 male Bouviers and I think they went in shock as she was delighted to see other dogs and showing no fear, proceeded to swing on poor Rick Lois’ beard and that Bouvier weighs over 100 lbs! The two male dogs sniffed her and recognized that she was female and obviously a puppy and they were fine with the idea of a new female. I then introduced her to the female Bouviers, one at a time, and both female Bouviers growled, to which I told them “no” but the Tibetan Terrier kissed them, and thank goodness did not swing on their beards. My Bouviers are not accustomed to small and medium sized dogs but they sensed that this was a playful, affectionate puppy although also somewhat rude!

Tibby and her puppy bed

Tibby, as a puppy, and her own bed

Both of these female Bouviers have Novice CD obedience titles and so I could command them more easily than untrained dogs and they knew as I brought in the puppy and put them on a “down stay” and also told them “behave” that they were not to be aggressive towards the puppy. The Tibetan’s interaction with the Bouviers was always closely supervised until I felt confident that the Bouviers would not hurt her. The main Bouviers to watch were the female Bouviers and once they accepted the Tibetan by playing with her, I relaxed more. The Tibetan puppy was crated for her own safety when I was not around to supervise her.

This was the easiest puppy I ever had to housetrain. She was crated the first few nights and I would get up once during the night and let her out in the front garden and she would come back in. She has never soiled the house. Maybe the fact that there are other dogs here might have helped in her training as she watched everything.

Before purchasing this breed, my research described the Tibetan Terrier breed as intelligent and somewhat mischievous. I have found this to be very accurate. She is also very friendly towards other dogs which, besides the breed’s appearance and history, made the Tibetan Terrier a good choice for me.

When I first introduced her to her crate where she would be sometimes, until she and the other dogs were settled, she went inside the crate and watched me secure the latch on the crate door and then she calmly put one of her large paws through the crate wire and she opened the crate and stepped out and sat looking at me! After I recovered from shock and laughter, I did remedy that by pushing a lock on the latch so she could not let herself out again.

Tibetan Terrier Tibby

Tibetan Terrier puppy and her crate in Barbados

After she settled in she was no longer crated but the door always left open in case she wanted to sleep in the crate. She has never interfered with any furniture except that she likes heights, and I have found her as a puppy asleep in my walk in closet in the bedroom, on one of the high shelves. As a puppy she did like to take leaves off patio plants and she was corrected with a “no” and given one of her toys. She does not trouble plants nor Black African snails anymore but, as a puppy, she would pick them up. She will still chase lizards and birds and I try to keep frogs out of my grounds as, in Barbados, they can be poisonous to dogs. None of my dogs are allowed to chase frogs and they will stop on a “no” command but I prefer to remove any frogs I see on this property.

Tibby and Lizzy the lizard

Poor Lizzy the lizard begging for her life. I did rescue Lizzy and her tail should grow back

This Tibetan still opens kitchen cupboard doors and she knows where to find empty pet bottles and brings them out to play with. I realised from early that she loves to take the caps off these bottles, using her teeth and paws but because I would not want her to swallow any of the chewed pieces, I take away the cap when she takes it off but allow her to play with the plastic pet bottles. And when I see that she can tear plastic away from the bottles, I dump the bottles. She prefers these to regular dog toys.

She has yet to open the fridge door and I have watched her trying with that!

She was on basic puppy training classes at Waterford from four months of age, primarily for her to be well socialized and enjoy herself.

Tibby has always been trained at home with small treats and praise and sometimes with a toy thrown as a reward.

Puppies coming to Barbados from the UK might come down with just one inoculation but I did request of the Tibetan Terrier’s breeder to inoculate as early as possible after talking to his vet, and Tibby came to Barbados with two inoculations. Parvo virus can be very strong and fatal in Barbados and it makes sense to be as careful as possible.

No puppy, in my opinion, should be on group training classes, until it is fully protected against parvo virus.

It also makes sense to be extra cautious when visiting the vet for the parvo inoculation, to let the vet come out of his office to your vehicle or to lift the puppy inside the vet’s office. Dog friends and people connected to dogs, especially those who come in contact with other dogs on a regular basis or whose kennels have had parvo, should be thought of as a security caution to be temporarily avoided.

Except for walks in the cul de sac gap where I live, she was not exposed to other outside dogs until she had her third inoculation in early May when she would have been approximately four months old.
She was also put on Certifect (prevention against ticks and fleas) and she has been wormed with medicines like Albendazole which were obtained from a vet’s office.

As a puppy, she won two out of two Best Puppy in Show, with Challenge Certificates, under UK judges Jeff Horswell and Robin Searle. And in just three shows, achieved the title Champion. Robin Searle, UK judge, did give Tibby’s playmate, and my favourite Bouvier Des Flandres, Ch. Calliope Rhapsody, C.D. the Reserve Best in Show and also Tibby was the Utility Group winner besides being Best Puppy in Show.

Tibby with UK judge Robin Searle

Tibby on the table with Robin Searle who gave her Best Puppy in Show and Group 1 Utility


She was very playful and used to like to carry her lead in her mouth while trotting. I broke this habit by walking her briskly in my gap and she had so many other interesting things to watch that she stopped playing with the lead.

I don’t believe judges expect dogs and puppies to be like statutes, especially puppies. They want to see some animation and this Tibetan is full of herself. Her tail is always up, a sign of confidence.

The Tibetan Terrier is examined by the conformation judge on a table. She was trained as a puppy to stay in a natural stack and also exposed to different people going over her on the table as a judge would do, opening the mouth to look at the bite, feeling the coat, pressing down on the top line, feeling the muscles and, of course, searching her face, for her eyes.

To train her to stand and stay, when she sitting or lying down, I lured her with a treat to get up and then told her “stand”. After she understood the word “stand” I no longer used the treat to lure her but to reward her when she stood on command. I used my hand to block her from approaching further and told her “stay”. When she went to the Special Beginners dog training class at Waterford she already knew the basics. “Stay” was also used for sits, and downs and always rewarded with little treats. Very short lessons and I was only a few inches away from her so I could put her back in place. Sit was taught to her as a puppy by luring her into position through showing a treat and by placing it above her head and telling her “sit”, when she sat, she was rewarded with a treat. To learn “down” I held a treat by her head and gradually brought my hand down to the ground. Of course, the treat was inside my hand so she could not grab it. When she went “down”, she got the treat. After a short while, I no longer needed to lure her but always rewarded her as soon as she did the basic commands. Puppies naturally follow their owners and in taking her for walks, I used the word “heel” to start off. I am now working on hand signals for these exercises.

From a puppy she started enjoying agility classes, but I used the classes to introduce her to only very low jumps and obstacles. As an adult she can now do all jumps and it is like if she has springs in her feet. Of course, for a dog to do agility, it has to be trained in basic obedience commands such as “come”, “wait”, “over” and the names of the obstacles. Because I have been doing agility for several years with Bouviers, it makes it a lot easier to train Tibby. We run in agility once a week with The Barbados Dog Training Club at Waterford. She likes her little rewards/treats and also enjoys having her agility toy. The toy is thrown over the jumps when we are doing a sequence and I am telling her “to go on” and “over”.

She entered Novice obedience as a puppy and I was not expecting her to pass any levels as a puppy but I thought it was good for her to socialize with other dogs and enjoy herself while she was settling in the obedience patterns and discipline. She has always been very easy to motivate with rewards. She has had a great time at the classes at Waterford with The Barbados Dog Training Club. Of course, there were many more distractions and the “stays” were longer in time than at home. And her co-operation in doing sits and downs was less reliable as there were so many other puppies and dogs to get to know. And friendly people. As a puppy, taking her off the leash for an off leash heeling and other exercises, was hilarious, to say the least. But I was happy with her progress and also that she was having a good time.

I am aware that Tibetan Terriers can have separation anxiety but I don’t think Tibby has ever had a hard time with that as she always has Bouviers with her when humans are absent and she loves the Bouviers.

Because she is a coated breed, I introduced her to bath time from her first week in Barbados. In my yard, in the sunshine, with the hose, to get a bath, her shampoo and coat conditioner and then rinsed and brushed out. She comes running when called for her bath and is put in a “stay” for her shampoo and coat conditioner. She was always given small treats as training rewards for being so good.

This breed was known as “Little People” and is a noted companion dog that the original owners, in Tibet, used to regard as a good luck dog and according to the history never used to sell. She is extremely alert and does bark at strange people and things and sings when she is happy, in a high pitched siren type voice.  She lives and gets on well with my Bouviers and they eat, in separate bowls, and play together. She is now fully grown and no longer swings on the Bouviers’ beards but she still likes to kiss them and nibble and pull their ears and if, left unsupervised, will steal their food! Her favourite Bouvier is the most dominant of the Bouviers and this Tibetan Terrier loves to rough play with Rhapsody. Although Rhapsody is play growling, Tibby’s tail is wagging and Rhapsody rolls over for the Tibetan Terrier to jump on her and bite her and Rhapsody gives the Tibetan Bouvier slaps in return. And they run together. They are best friends.

This is an independent breed which loves to explore and also loves most people. As this breed was also used in earlier times as a guard/watch dog, it can be reserved towards strangers.

She only has leg C to pass now for the CD Novice title. She loves coming out to do obedience training with the other dogs and puppies at The B’dos. Dog Training Club’s weekly classes as she loves to receive her little rewards and reinforcements (frozen meat) and to run around with a dog friend afterwards. She is lots of fun to train and as an adult tries hard to please although I am always aware that she might still decide to be overly playful when the leash is taken off and her formal off leash obedience training is done in an enclosed area.

She has settled in well in Barbados and as an adult Tibetan Terrier she is very well trained.

Ch. Araki Miss Conduct at Calliope in Barbados

Tibby in May, 2013

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Margaret on May 13th, 2013
Bouvier Des Flandres dogs

Barbados Bouviers in USA

This  blog post is based on the shipment of three Bouvier Des Flandres dogs from two different litters which were bred by me and were owned by one of my friends who returned to the USA.  She lived in Barbados for approximately 14 years and the oldest of the Bouviers was 8 years old at the time of the shipping.

These Bouviers went to an extremely good home and were always well cared and loved by her. I am, of course, delighted that she did not leave them behind when she returned to the USA.

I know of people from overseas who have imported pedigree dogs or bought puppies on the island and when they leave, they leave the dog behind.

On the other hand and on the positive side, I do know of other people who became attached to their dog, sometimes even a mixed breed dog, maybe a rescued dog or a dog they met on the beach, and they cared for the dog and took the dog home with them.

It is expensive to export dogs to the USA from Barbados, especially large size adult dogs as the freight costs are based on the weight of the dogs and Bouviers are large dogs.

To export a dog, the first place to check is with our Government Veterinary Department. Their office is located at the Pine, St. Michael. Check here to ship dogs out of Barbados and talk with one of the vets listed there. I recommend making an appointment and sitting and talking with the vet.

What is needed is a Veterinary Health Export Certificate issued by that department. The Bouviers also had a rabies inoculation which was done by a private vet and they were also treated by a private vet for ticks and worms. Barbados is regarded as a rabies free country so our dogs are not inoculated against rabies in Barbados but it is sensible to vaccinate travelling to the USA and especially living near a wooded area.  The rabies vaccination was done and also the dogs were tested as part of these health documentation.

To travel, dogs also need to be micro chipped and this should be done at a private vet with the owner of the dogs taking them back to ensure that the microchips are reading correctly. It is very important that these procedures are followed. What the dogs are receiving is a signed and stamped Health Certificate so it is important, besides talking with our Government vets, to also talk to a private vet.

It is very important that all documentation be correct.  I recommend sending the original documents with the dog (taped to the crate) after being checked off by the broker and also carrying a duplicate with you.  A dog without its proper documentation can be placed in quarantine and/or be refused entry.  The airline will notify a Government vet to check and inspect the dog on arrival.  It is better, always, to ship on week days when the Government vets are on duty and not have to bring one out on overtime and maybe from his family dinner!

We checked with the pet shops on the island for suitable crates, and we were looking for the extra large size.  Only one place had that size and it was very expensive.  We ended up with asking Do it Best, a hardware store, in Sheraton Mall, to order the crates. Sometimes airlines do have crates available so it makes sense to check American Airlines and other airlines to see whether a crate could be readily available.  Likewise to check within the local dog community to see whether any large size dogs were recently imported to the island and whether those crates would be available.  Do it Best’s service was reliable.  These crates must also be the ones approved for airline travel. The bowls for water and sticker signs for the crates were purchased separately from an online USA company. Although Seawell  Air Services will provide stickers for the crate like “live animal”, it makes sense to ensure you have some and also the water bowls to be attached to the crate.

The airlines travelling from Barbados to the USA were checked and it is very important to note that airlines in the USA may restrict the travel of dogs from Barbados and other places to the USA to the time frame, May 15 to September 15, which is regarded as the cooler and safer months for dog travelling.  A broker could advise of shipping conditions.

There is no quarantine required for dogs shipped to the USA providing that the health requirements for entry have been complied with and documented by the relevant officials.

At one time, dogs could travel as baggage to several parts of the world.  However, we were told these dogs would have to go as freight.  I believe Canada is one of the places where dogs from Barbados can still travel as baggage which works out much cheaper.

To ship the dogs from Barbados, a broker is needed as paper work is necessary.  We took the dogs and a crate to Seawell Air Services, the major broker, which is in the industrial park by Grantley Adams Airport.  The personnel there need to  approve the crates before hand and the largest Bouvier was put in the crate for preapproval.  It is important that the crate has enough room for the dog to turn around and also to stand.

Payment has to be made before the shipment arrangements are made and it includes our vat tax of 17.5 percent on all charges.  And horror of horrors, Seawell Air Services did not accept credit cards and required a banker’s certified cheque!

Dogs which have never been crated cannot be expected to be co-operative and just go into crates the day they are to be shipped.  So what we did was this:  introduce the Bouviers to the crate bottom (the top part was not attached) and give them food in the bottom part.  A few days later, we attached the top part of the crate and offered food in the crate.  The Bouviers learnt to like going in their crates as it meant treats and/or food.  And they had a few weeks of getting accustomed to the crates.  The doors were also shut and they were okay with that as well. It is important to train dogs travelling to accept going into a crate.

Some hic cups along the way were:  getting to Seawell Air Services for them to approve the crates and they measured the largest (tallest Bouvier) and said the extra large crate we had was too small!  It was shown through my cutting more coat off the largest Bouvier that the crate was suitable and the day they were shipped I had their coats well trimmed to avoid any possible crate problems.

The dogs have to be taken to their Barbados departure area about an hour before the travelling person has to be at the airport.  A hic cup was that the plane was delayed so Seawell Air Services suggested that the dogs be fed and walked. These Bouviers sniffed the dog chow that was purchased from a nearby supermarket and did not touch the food as they are accustomed to having all kinds of meats with their chow!

The dogs also had to overnight in Miami and their owner got to see them and speak to them before travelling to her next USA destination. She said she could hear them barking from their cargo section in the plane!  And the airline personnel did announce that the barking heard was indeed dogs travelling from Barbados to the U.S.A. with their owner to which some passengers clapped and cheered!

All in all, an expensive operation which also took time and planning and maybe one which, if the person, is not truly a dog lover and maybe does not have the money for the expense, will mean that the person will leave the dog behind. The approximate cost was BDS. $14,000.  (BDS $ = BDS. $2 to USA$1)

These Bouviers from Barbados currently live in a townhouse, next to a wooded area and a stream.  They are walked several times a day and their owner recently received permission to build a small fenced area around the back area of the townhouse so they can enjoy the sunshine outside as well as from the upstairs deck.  They seemed to enjoy their first snow fall very much.  On the upstairs deck, they enjoy seeing the squirrels and other animals. On their walks, the owner tells me that they are petted and loved in the area.  And the pet sitters when they are brought in are happy with them.  They have now enjoyed their first mild winter and are settled in the USA where they do not seem to get the tick problems as in Barbados.

She says that, of course, they miss their Bajan family and their freedom of a large fenced area in Barbados.

Five Bouvier Des Flandres

Calliope Bouviers in Barbados

In the above pix. are Ch. Calliope Rupert, Calliope Radcliff and Calliope Odin, (three Bouviers from Barbados now living in the USA) with my own Bouviers, Ch. Calliope Rhapsody, C.D, and Ch. Calliope Rita, C.D.

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Group obedience and agility dog classes resume end April with The B’dos.  Dog Training Club.

Obedience classes will be at basic level and also more advanced levels.

It was nice having a break of a few weeks in between dog training.  On April 10th, there were dog obedience trials:  congratulations to the following who have passed various legs of the Novice, (CD title) and Open (CDX).

Passing the 2nd leg of the CDX was a Rhodesian Ridgeback with Sarah Hamilton.  So one more leg to go for them and they will have the CDX title.  I don’t regard Rhodesian Ridgebacks as an easy breed to train in areas necessary to pass this level such as retrieving and carrying a dumb bell so I think Sarah has achieved a lot as a trainer of this dog.

Passing leg B of the Novice (CD) title was my Tibetan Terrier.  Her score was 183/200 and I am hoping to improve on this score at the next  obedience trials, when we do leg C, so that we can achieve the CD title.  She was originally what I would call a “zoomer” but she has settled down and the only sign of this “zooming” potential  in the ring is when we do a recall as she always comes at a super fast speed which is beautiful to watch but she does not zoom past anymore.

 

Tibetan Terrier and dumb  bell

Tibetan Terrier at home with her dumb bell

Passing the first leg of the Novice (CD) title, leg A. were the following:  Golden Retriever with Jennifer Fields, Irish Setter with Jutta Moore, and a Min. Dachschund with Jenni Wilson.

So far in Barbados, there are no judges to award agility titles and it is possible that the dogs we have enjoying the sport, would never excel like some of the top dogs we see or read about overseas like the Border Collie breed which is super for agility and for working sports. This Club did bring in overseas agility instructors and competitors like Kathrin Tasker to assist the Club in getting off the ground, so to speak, in agility.  In Barbados, it is a fun area for the dogs and great exercise for both dogs and their handlers.

This is a Crufts video with Kathryn Tasker in the ring. She has visited Barbados on at least two occasions.

 

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Speed is not, however, the most important factor in being successful in dog agility, it is important that the dog does all of the obstacles and jumps in the correct order and does not refuse any of the obstacles and/or jumps.

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Margaret on April 3rd, 2013
Obedience training in Barbados

Dog doing the high jump in Barbados

Looks like an interesting year to me and a year which suggests that some dog enthusiasts are moving away from conformation dog shows and getting involved in other dog activities which they regard as more fun.

Dog shows only involve pedigree dogs but dog activities like agility can include all dogs whatever the mix.

And the fact that a club is now focused on Schutzhund/IPO is another area. However, not all dogs are suitable for this area.

There are currently three dog clubs on the island:

The B’dos. Kennel Club is responsible for the registration of pedigree dogs and it currently organises three All Breeds Championship Dog Shows where the judges come from the UK and award Challenge Certificates to the dogs which they judge and feel merit the Challenge Certificates. Best of breed, Best of Group, Reserve Best in Show and Best in Show are also selected. The number of entries to these shows have been on the decline.

The German Shepherds which at one time were shown in large quantities, have virtually gone from the shows and the interest in German Shepherds in Barbados now seems to be German Shepherds from working lines.

The B’dos. Dog Training Club holds training classes throughout the year for puppies, and adult dogs at both the basic obedience level and also the Novice level. I believe a few members of this club have achieved the CDX title with their dogs. This club also has a good range of agility equipment and dogs and owners can enjoy themselves, after the dog has had basic obedience training, doing jumps and obstacles in an agility course.

A more recent club is the B’dos. Working Dogs Association which states its “focus as being mainly Schutzhund/IPO,and other biting sports”, and they state that they will work with most dogs and persons in Tracking, Obedience, and Agility. This month is the first time I was aware that this Club was also offering agility.

And I am hearing now about a fourth Club which is in the planning stages and plans to offer all levels of dog/puppy obedience training, and also do some dog training in the bite sport/aggression area. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

The advantage of training with a Club and doing group training is that you should pay a very reasonable rate for the group training vs private training. The puppy/dog will also have the opportunity to be better socialised by being in a different environment with lots of different distractions and be among other strangers and their dogs, and you, the owner, also get the opportunity to meet and make new friends as well as maybe see some of your older friends. You can also look around the class and see how you and your puppy/dog are doing in comparison with the other dogs. Then you learn from the class and practise the lessons you have learnt with your puppy/dog at home. The class should be teaching you how to train your own puppy/dog.

A person does not have to be a club member to do basic puppy/dog group training with the Clubs. If they are a member, I believe they pay a cheaper rate. They need to be members to do more advanced training with the Clubs.

A Club will probably have several trainers so that if a class is large, you will still be getting individual attention. In The B’dos. Dog Training Club, they also have judges for the CD and CDX trials and The B’dos. Working Dog Association, which is still a young club, would, I imagine, have judges from overseas when their members are trained enough to be formally evaluated in bite sports like Schutzhund.

The B’dos. Dog Training Club share the enclosed Waterford grounds with The B’dos. Kennel Club. The B’dos. Working Dogs Association train in more than one location, including the Warrens Simpson Motors grounds.

So currently, there is a growing interest in dog training on the island which I like as puppies/dogs who are well trained are less likely to end up at the animal control centre or given to rescue organisations.

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Margaret on March 30th, 2013
Tibetan Terrier playing with one of her dog friends in Barbados

Tibetan Terrier and German Shepherd puppy playing

Both of these dogs are at Novice B level in obedience training with The B’dos. Dog Training Club. Because the grounds used by The Barbados Dog Training Club are enclosed, I usually let the Tibetan Terrier enjoy herself playing with other dogs after her Novice level obedience classes

The dog she loves to play with is a German Shepherd puppy from working lines, and they take turns at chasing each other at full speed. Now, the Tibetan could pick other breeds but this German Shepherd puppy is her particular friend.

She makes no serious effort to play with the other dogs on class like the breeds in the gundog, hound group and other dogs and I don’t think the German Shepherd tries to play with the other dogs either. These two do very fast turns and full runs and thoroughly enjoy themselves.

I think it is great for a dog doing repetitive exercises like obedience to be able to have lots of fun afterwards. I believe in making it fun for any dog I train and I believe in training through positive motivation and reinforcement. Although some dogs might enjoy the obedience exercises, I think there is nothing more fun than a great run and chase with their favourite dog friend afterwards.

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Peter Jolley in Barbados

Peter Jolley in Barbados

Uk judge, Peter Jolley, has judged in Barbados before. He was first invited by the now defunct Japanese Akita Club of Barbados. In those days there were a lot of quality show Akitas on the island and there were enough keen Akita lovers to form a club. On this, his second judging assignment, he was the replacement judge for Bob Gregory who was invited by The Barbados Kennel Club and whom I understand was sick and unable to travel to Barbados for the scheduled show date. I was looking forward to showing a Tibetan Terrier under Bob Gregory as he is on the UK judges’ A1 list and used to show and breed Tibetan Terriers. I hope Bob Gregory has made a good recovery.

Peter Jolley is approved by The Kennel Club, UK, to judge the Toy, Utility and Working groups and to give challenge certificates in the UK to the following breeds we would have had in the show ring on March 17th: Akita, Boxer, German Shepherd Dog, Japanese Shiba Inu, Rottweiler, and Tibetan Terrier.

As an exhibitor, I found him to be very friendly and nice to show under and several exhibitors I talked with, said they appreciated having such a very friendly judge in the ring with them. He did withhold Challenge Certificates in some breeds where he felt it was merited and as a judge, he did give 2 dogs a 2nd place each in the ring when they were the only dog in the class in the ring which sent a message that although he is friendly, he also has high standards. And that is, in my opinion, how it should be. Dogs should not be awarded Challenge Certificates when they do not meet the required breed standard, especially when type, and proper breed structure are lacking.

Below is his critique of the dogs shown to him on March 17th. It was a small entry of dogs in The B’dos. Kennel Club’s first All Breed Championship show for 2013, as Peter Jolley had only 50 plus dogs to go over but this low number of entries has been the pattern now for sometime.

The photographs were taken by my friend Franz Phillips who gave me permission to post them here. Barbados has been going through a very dry period with little or no rain for the past few months and this has created a more challenging environment for photographers as the grounds are now brown instead of the usual green.

Peter Jolley's Best in Show winners

Peter Jolley’s Best in Show winners

His Best in Show winners were the Irish Setter and the Bullmastiff (locally bred and Reserve Best in Show) and a locally bred Rhodesian Ridgeback was the Best Puppy in show.

Scottish Terrier wins the Terrier Group

Scottish Terrier wins the Terrier Group

TERRIER GROUP
Scottish Terrier – Bitch
Open – 1st Mrs. J. Parris’ CH. MILLINGFORD HOLLYBERRY , Imp. – 3 year old Scottish Terrier. A very typical head with correct proportions, good mouth and dentition. Good clear eyes and well set ears. Moves well. CC, BOB, Best in Group.

GUNDOG GROUP

Retrievers (Golden) – Bitch
Open – 1st Mrs. J. Ray’s SH.CH. THATCHERS STORM IN A TEACUP C.D., Loc. – 7 years old, full dentition, well balanced head, correct front assembly. Excellent mover with true parallel movement. She has good spring of rib, excellent forehand on the move, with very good body tones throughout. CC, BOB.

Labrador

Labrador

Retrievers (Labrador) – Dogs
Minor Puppy – 1st Mr. E. Maynard’s ALLENIE’S ADONIS, Imp. – 7 months, good head and dentition, nice size, well laid shoulders, good front assembly, good bone and feet, with correct topline and tailset. On the move left hip not as strong. Covers ground well.
Open – 1st Mrs. Z. Gray-Marshall’s SH.CH. LINTHWAITE CENTAURUS OF ZINZARA C.D., Imp.- 6 years, Yellow, good strong head, full dentition, good clean, oval eyes. Powerfull front assembly, topline and tailset very good, good tone throughout, moves very well. CC, BOB & Reserve in Group.
Retrievers (Labrador) – Bitches
Limit – 1st Mrs. S. Leacock’s CROSSCROYDE CALYPSO MAGIC FOR THEBERTON, Imp. – 2 years, Black, with such a pleasing outline. Good head with great expression, correct dentition, good neck and very good front assembly. Very good bone, good depth of chest with nice spring of rib, excellent feet, correct topline and tailset, moves very well, a very, very nice girl. CC, RBOB.
Open – 1st Mrs. S. Leacock & Mrs. Z. Gray-Marshall’s SH.CH. LINTHWAITE FANTINE OF THEBERTON, Imp. – 1 year, 11 months, Yellow with excellent temperament. Feminine head, with good mouth and full dentition. Very good front assembly with nice depth of chest, correct topline and tailset, moves very freely, just pins in a little front left, moves well, excellent presentation. RCC.

Retriever (Flat Coated) – Bitch
Open – 1st Miss A. Corbin’s PARADISE CASH AND PRIZES, Loc. – 3 years, small, narrow head, full dentition, weak front and lacks substance, moves with very loose front. Excellent temperament. BOB.

Irish Setter – Dog
Open – 1st Mr. & Mrs. A. Moore’s SH.CH. FEARNLEY FIRE STORM OF MOORLANDS, Imp. – 3 years, such a noble head, with such soft eyes and excellent expression, super dentition, well set ears, beautiful neck, good chest and depth with well laid back ribs, very correct topline and tailset, moves very well. – A joy to examine. CC, BOB, Best in Group & Best in Show.

Peter Jolly and Hound Winners

Peter Jolley and Hound Winners

HOUND GROUP
Beagles – Dog
Open – 1st Mr. T. & Mrs. C. Bentley’s ANZAC’S PLATINUM, Loc. – 3 years, Tricolour, well balanced, good correct body proportions, strong topline and tailset, well conditioned body, moves well. CC, RBOB.

Beagles – Bitches
Open – 1st Mr. P. & Mrs. J. Gilkes’ CH. KINOLA’S CALYSTA, Loc. – 5 year old Lemon Tricolour, excellent temperament, pleasing head, good bone, very good topline and tailset, moves very well. CC, BOB & Reserve in Group.
2nd – 1st Mr. P. & Mrs. J. Gilkes’ CH. KINOLA’S CLEO, Loc. – 5 year old Tricolour, another very good example of this delightful breed. The topline not as strong as No. 1. Has good tone throughout. RCC.

Dachshunds – Bitches
Novice – 1st Mrs. G. Wilson’s CUPCAKE CANDY AT WILSONBY, Imp. – 19 months, good head, eyes and dentition, very good angles front and rear, covers the ground so well. Super topline and tailset. Very good rear with super parallel hocks. RBOB.
Limit – 1st Mrs. G. Wilson’s DARAMYDONS SPICE GIRL AT WILSONBY, Imp. – 19 months, another from this small kennel, but such quality. Again super head, eye and dentition, not so happy on the table, but on the move came into her own, she has the quality that the breed requires. CC, BOB.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks – Dogs
Puppy – 1st Mr. P. Atkinson’s CELTIC RIVER RADIUM, Loc. – 9 months, such a beautiful expressive head. Very typical of the breed, the darkest eyes, full dentition, excellent temperament, good ridge, strong loin, very good bone, excellent feet and pads. Moves very well, excellent baby. RCC, RBOB, Best Puppy and Best Locally Bred Puppy in Show.
Limit – 1st Mr. O. & Master K. Holder’s CROWNRIDGE FLASH FORWARD, Loc. – 19 months, so much breed type, good front, excellent forehand on the move, super topline and ridge. Excellent tone throughout, very good angles front & rear, super bone and feet, moves like a dream. CC, BOB, Best in Group.
Open – 1st Mr. P. Atkinson’s CH. BALLYRIVER MILTON, Imp. – 4 year old, not the biggest, but very good for type. Head balanced with dark eye, correct dentition, very good sound mover.
2nd Mrs. S.B. Hamilton-Outcalt’s CH. CROWNRIDGE RED REGENT (AI) C.D., Loc. The most stunning head. Super body with good tone, good ridge, bone and feet, strong very correct pads. Let down by the croup. Moves well.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks – Bitches
Puppy – 1st Mr. P. Atkinson’s CELTIC RIVER SOLO DROP, Loc. – 9 months, super girl, litter mate to Puppy Dog, excellent type, good size, moves very well.
2nd – Mrs. S.B. Hamilton-Outcalt’s CELTIC RIVER FIZZ, Loc. – Sister to No. 1. Same applies.
Novice – 1st Mr. E. Maynard’s CRONRIGE FLASH DANCER, Loc. – 19 months, nice head, very good body, lacks underjaw, fine bone, moves ok.
Limit – 1st Mrs. S.B. Hamilton-Outcalt’s CROWNRIDGE CATCH ME IF U CAN, Loc. – 19 months, good for size, very pleasing head, with very good front assembly with strong neck, well laid shoulders, good topline and ridge with correct tailset, good angles front and rear, moves very well. CC.
Open – 1st Mr. P. Atkinson’s CH. ROTTZRIDGE CELTIC PRINCESS, Imp. – 4 years old, mother of so many. Good head, mouth, eyes and neck, sadly lacks forechest, good strong body with excellent bone throughout, moves very well. RCC.
2nd Mr. O. & Mrs. N. Holder’s CROWNRIDGE RED RUFFIAN (AI) – 4 years old, super girl, lovely head and body with very good tones, good ribs, nice topline, but a sloping croup, moves well.

Peter Jolley with Utility group winners

Peter Jolley with Utility group winners

UTILITY GROUP
Akitas – Dog
Limit – Mr. A. Taylor’s MASSIMA’S RALPH LAUREN, Loc. – Large head in proportion to body, very high set ears, narrow, slap sided, poor tail, loose hocks on the move when walking. Placed 2nd.
Akitas – Bitch
Open – 1st – Mr. A. Taylor’s CH. TOPAZ TABOO, Loc. – 9 years old, such a joy to examine this bitch. Very good head, super front assembly, just a little heavy but for her age great, still maintains good topline and tailset, walks and moves very well. A credit to her owner. CC & BOB.

French Bulldog – Bitch
Puppy – 1st Mr. H. Jordan’s JAFRAK DORADA, Imp. – What a joy to examine the beautiful fawn girl, she is only 8 months but has very good quality, such a correct head, very good eyes, clear and clean, very bright, good wide nostrils, beautiful mouth with 6 teeth, level and well set in this correct underjaw, super scull. Very good front assembly with correct rise over the loin, with compact body, moved very well. CC, BOB & Best in Group

Japanese Shiba Inu – Dog
Open – 1st Mr. A. Taylor’s CH. CALICELESTI THE ONE N’ ONLY AT MASSIMA, Imp. – 2 years, good eye & ear placement, very good dentition. Super tones throughout body with good topline and tailset, super movement. A very nice dog. CC & BOB.
Japanese Shiba Inu – Bitch

Open – 1st Mr. A. Taylor’s CH. CALICELESTI IT TAKES TWO AT MASSIMA, Imp. – 19 months, most expressive face, constructed correctly, good front and rib. Good topline and tailset, moves very, very well. CC & RBOB.

Miniature Schnauzer – Bitch
Open – 1st Mr. R. & Mrs. J. Anderson’s CH. RISEPARK’S HALLMARK AT JAMROCK, Imp. – 4 years, correct head proportions, dark eyes with good mouth and dentition. Very pleasing neck and front assembly, correct topline and tailset, she moves very well. CC, BOB & Reserve in Group.

Tibetan Terrier shown under Peter Jolley

Tibetan Terrier shown under Peter Jolley

This photo was taken by my young friend Joseph Tseu.

Tibetan Terrier – Bitch
Open – 1st Miss M. Ashby’s CH. ARAKI MISS CONDUCT AT CALLIOPE, Imp. Such a pleasure to examine this 2 year old black/white girl who is such a quality example of this breed. Excellent for size with correct head proportions. Good dark eyes, correct bite. Good neck and front assembly, strong short back giving correct body proportions overall, very good topline and tailset, moves very well. The owner should be proud to have kept this coat in such good condition in this climate. CC & BOB.

Working group winners with Peter Jolley

Working group winners with Peter Jolley

WORKING GROUP
Dobermann – Dog
Minor Puppy – Mr. O. Holder’s MONIFA DEL KONDO, Loc. – 7 months, level bite, narrow throughout, good bone and feet, moves ok. 2nd Place.
Dobermann – Bitch
Minor Puppy – 1st Mr. R. Wood’s NEVER BE ALONE AT WOODNEY, Loc. – 6 months, pleasing outline in profile, good head and dentition, very good bone, excellent temperament, moves ok, weak rear on the move. BOB.

Bullmastiffs – Dogs
Novice – 1st Mr. Brathwaite’s ZAHARA BULLS KINGSLY STREET, Loc. – 2 year old of good size and substance, correct bite, good bone, poor rear on the move.
Limit – 1st Mr. H. King’s BOWZER THE BRAVE, Loc. – 2 years, strong head, nice dark eyes, good foreface with correct dentition, very good front assembly with good width of chest, excellent bone, very good topline and tailset, moves very well. RCC & RBOB.
2nd – Mr. M. Jones’ PRINCE CASPIAN, Loc. – 4 years, such a very pleasing head, nice eye, good mouth, well constructed front, moves ok, but for me lacks substance.
Open – 1st Messrs. O. Holder & R. Straker’s TREONE DARK SULTAN, Loc. – 3 year old brindle, excellent temperament, such a very correct mouth with super dentition, blackest eyes. He shows power and strength with so much dignity, strong and powerful throughout, moves so well. A joy to examine. CC, BOB, Best in Group, Best Locally Bred and Reserve Best in Show.

Bullmastiffs – Bitches
Minor Puppy – 1st Mr. B.A. Bascombe’s ZAHARA BULLS KATNISS AT NEXTEN, Loc. – For her age has a very good head, clear eyes, excellent dentition, super bone, good depth of chest, nice topline and tailset, with good angles front and rear, moves ok.
Puppy – 1st Mr. B. Lowe’s FOUL BAY LADY ANN AT COTTAGE, Loc. – 11 months old, stunning mouth, very good head, clear dark eyes, good underjaw, nice body, let down on rear movement.
Junior – 1st Mr. R. Wood’s WOODNEY DIANA WHITE, Loc. – 14 months, excellent temperament, super mouth, good chest and sternum, excellent bone, good depth with very good topline and tailset, correct angulations front and rear, moves very well. RCC.
Open – 1st Mr. P.R.P. Evelyn Q.C.’s CH. ARDHUB STRIKE A POSE AT HOTHERSALL, Imp. – Five year old, mature head, good mouth, dark tight eyes, so well balanced throughout, excellent bone with good topline and tailset, with good angles front and rear. Moves very well. CC.

Rottweilers – Dogs
Limit – 1st Mr. A. Maynard’s ASHTORIA OLD BRIGAND, Loc. – 23 months, super body, not much to say, only he ticks all the boxes for me. CC, BOB & Reserve in Group.
2nd – Mr. R.T. Alleyne’s RICHWOOD ARRELEUS’ FIRE, Loc. – 18 months, good male, just a little long in loin, not so good on the move.
Open – 1st Dr. W. Welch’s CH. JUFFTHER DREAM LOVER, Imp. – 5 year old of great substance and size, such a very good example of this noble breed, but for me lacks chest markings, three tracks on the move. RCC & RBOB.

Rottweilers – Bitches
Puppy – 1st Dr. Welch’s ELTHOR DARK YAFFA, Loc. – 11 months, good head, correct dentition, very good front assembly, good topline and tailset, good angles front and rear, poor on the move.
Limit – 1st Mr. R. Bascombe’s MISS LACY, Loc. – 2 years, excellent temperament, very very nice girl, she has size and substance, moves very well. CC.
2nd – Mr. R.T. Alleyne’s RICHWOOD AKINA’S FIRE, Loc. – 18 months, a very nice girls, I would like a little more substance.
3rd – Mr. A. Weekes’ HOPEVIEW MISS QUEENIE, Loc. – 3 years, very nervous, poor mover. She also has flat feet.
Open – 1st Mr. S. Howell’s ELTHOR DARK NESTA, Loc. – 3 years, very nice girl who ticked all the boxes. Very good dentition with correct angles front and rear, moves well. RCC.

German Shepherd Dogs – Dog
Minor Puppy – Mr. R. Weekes’ THOMORA PADDOCK, Loc. – 7 months, international type, pleasing head for his age, good eyes and ear, full dentition, nice neck, good high withers, correct topline and tailset, nice feet, just a little fine to what I am used to seeing. But could do the job. BOB.
German Shepherd Dogs – Bitches
Puppy – 1st Mr. D. Arthur’s SHOTAAN PATSY, Loc. – 11 months, very thin, most intelligent head and expression, I think could do the job, but not so good walking. RBOB.
2nd – Miss D. Daniel’s SHOTAAN PERINA, Loc. – This was a lovely girl, who has more substance, very pleasing outline, good head, eye, dentition, on the move just not able to get it together and paced all the time.

Boxer – Dog
Open – 1st Miss J. Wilson’s CH. WORTHINGTON’S WISH ME LUCK C.D., Loc. – 4 year old red with such a classic head, good mouth, well set ears and darkest eyes, strong and powerful neck and front assembly, correct sloping topline and tailset, very good tones throughout, moved well. CC & BOB.
Boxer – Bitch
Open – 1st Miss G. Leach’s CH. WORTHINGTON’S PRETTY N PEACH, Loc. – 2 ½ year old red, very good work in her head, dark eyes, good mouth and underjaw, well put together front, showing correct proportions throughout, well angulated front and rear, good tailset, moves well. CC & RBOB.

Brood Bitch – Miss G. Leach’s CH. SEEFELD SEA GODDESS OF WORTHINGTON, Boxer – This 8 year old has passed on all her qualities to her offspring that were here today.
Best Veteran – Mrs. J. Ray’s SH.CH. BURPHAM WINTER STORM OF THATCHER C.D., Golden Retriever – What a pleasure to examine this 10 year old, a true Champion, who still today carries his crown with pride, what a wonderful example of this breed. A joy to watch. Congratulations to his owner and also his breeders, both should be very proud.

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Margaret on March 21st, 2013
Obedience Trials in Barbados

B’dos. Dog Training Club’s Obedience Trials

The dog in the photo is my Tibetan Terrier, Ch. Araki Miss Conduct at Calliope. She competes in conformation shows and runs in agility as well as being trained at Novice level with The B’dos. Dog Training Club. She gets on very well with my Bouviers as she is not dog agressive. She has achieved leg A of the Novice but needs to pass legs B and C to have the CD title.

For those of us who have dogs in agility, obedience and also do conformation shows, it has been a busy period. A conformation show was on March 17 and for those of us with coated breeds, it is more challenging to prepare a dog for shows. And I, like most other people, I suspect, am glad of a four week break with no competitive dog activities and classes to attend.

When training resumes with The B’dos. Dog Training Club in late April, with agility and obedience, the dogs and their owners would have had a rest.

CD and CDX trials were yesterday evening. Congrats to Sarah Hamilton for passing the first leg of the CDX and also the second leg of the CD trials with (2) Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Brenda Kaufman, in my opinion, has done a fantastic job rescuing 2 puppies, what we would call “cane” puppies. As adults, one passed CD level B, and the other passed level A. I was impressed with Linda Pearson and her German Shepherd puppy, from working lines, who got the top score in part A of the Novice CD.

The trainer for the class was Rosemary Coghlan (from The B’dos. Dog Training Club). And she will be the trainer when classes resume in April.

Trials for the beginner’s group will be this evening. The beginner’s group is not marked hard and most people will pass but the trials give the people who have paid for training a feel at the end of the class, whether their dog/puppy will do the things the training class promotes such as sits, stands, downs with stays and heeling on leash. In the beginner’s class, the dog is always on leash but it becomes familiar also with a simple recall and come. And then if the handlers are keen, they can progress to the more advanced level of novice with off leash exercises. And, of course, basic obedience is needed for agility and some participants like to go on to that.

I like the fact that the dogs are in an enclosed environment at The B’dos. Dog Training Club’s location and there is a variety of dogs, and also people of different training levels on the B’dos. Dog Training Club classes.

People do not have to be a member of the club to do basic dog training but to participate in agility and also at advanced obedience level, they need to be club members. My dogs are usually trained from puppies and the social interaction with other dogs is good for them and I enjoy training with other experienced trainers.

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