Tonight, Juno and I "practiced" in the garage. It has been horrifically cold (for a couple of California girls) and I have been getting home late from work. I look for excuses to put it off and I can come up with several that might hold water.
But you know when it comes right down to it, what's 15 or 20 mins? It's my blue pup with an intense gaze, ears poised and brows lifted in anticipation of what might be next. It's a solid front with a bump when she's called. It's a real finish when 2 months ago she would get lost behind me. It's connecting with and rewarding my dog for being patient during the day without me. It's going to change peoples' mind about this breed. It's fun.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Martin
My name is Tina and my dog, Martin, and I are members of the Mountain House Dog Sports team. I would like to share a little about how we got started, since I think many people fall into the same mindset I did in the beginning.
I first saw Tiffany and her fabulous dog, Loki, perform at the Nor Cal Terrier event in Sacramento a few years ago. I was blown away by their team work and the bond they shared, totally in awe of how well Loki performed. People in the crowd talked of what a happy performer he was (what great breed PR!) I left convinced that my dog could never do that. My dog isn't bold, outgoing and confident like Loki. My dog is a shy, handler soft, noise sensitive dog rescued from the lower 9th Ward during Hurricane Katrina. He had heartworms and two blown cruciates and though those were repaired, he certainly wasn't a dog one would pick as an ideal competition dog....... too timid, scared of new places, loud noises, the list goes on. I wasted a year with that mindset and it is my deepest regret. Life is just too short.
I went back the next year and this time I expressed my admiration of Loki and how I wished my dog was more like him. Tiffany told me that it wasn't fair to compare Martin to Loki as each dog is an individual and that I really didn't know what Martin was capable of because I hadn't tried. Perhaps competition WOULD be beyond his capabilities, but that needn't stop us from training with that goal in mind.
Early training was a challenge for Martin. He could perform skills at home that he was unable to translate to the training enviornment. He worried about being wrong. Training though, remained always fun and positive and we allowed him to escape the pressure in his crate when he needed to........ in the beginning that was a LOT.
We learned a lot about each other and he learned to trust me to keep him safe. He loves training class, and as much as he worried about being wrong, he LOVES being right. The behaviors he has learned give him tools he now can use to cope with situations that used to stress him out or frighten him. He is still a softie dog, but he is much more comfortable with the world around him, performing these known safe behaviors make him feel good.
Martin is now CGC 'NOLA'S Rider of the Storm' BN RN and working on more titles. The best comment I get at events is "What a great, happy working dog!" I am SO proud of the little man because I know the challenges he faces and the fears he puts aside to have some fun with me or because I ask him to. We even took first place in our class at that very same Nor Cal Terrier show.
Thank you Tiffany for helping us develop the bond we share and reach for the stars. Loki is an amazing dog and you helped Martin reach his potential. For everyone out there, YOUR dog is amazing too, what can he/she do?? I bet they might surprise you!
I first saw Tiffany and her fabulous dog, Loki, perform at the Nor Cal Terrier event in Sacramento a few years ago. I was blown away by their team work and the bond they shared, totally in awe of how well Loki performed. People in the crowd talked of what a happy performer he was (what great breed PR!) I left convinced that my dog could never do that. My dog isn't bold, outgoing and confident like Loki. My dog is a shy, handler soft, noise sensitive dog rescued from the lower 9th Ward during Hurricane Katrina. He had heartworms and two blown cruciates and though those were repaired, he certainly wasn't a dog one would pick as an ideal competition dog....... too timid, scared of new places, loud noises, the list goes on. I wasted a year with that mindset and it is my deepest regret. Life is just too short.
I went back the next year and this time I expressed my admiration of Loki and how I wished my dog was more like him. Tiffany told me that it wasn't fair to compare Martin to Loki as each dog is an individual and that I really didn't know what Martin was capable of because I hadn't tried. Perhaps competition WOULD be beyond his capabilities, but that needn't stop us from training with that goal in mind.
Early training was a challenge for Martin. He could perform skills at home that he was unable to translate to the training enviornment. He worried about being wrong. Training though, remained always fun and positive and we allowed him to escape the pressure in his crate when he needed to........ in the beginning that was a LOT.
We learned a lot about each other and he learned to trust me to keep him safe. He loves training class, and as much as he worried about being wrong, he LOVES being right. The behaviors he has learned give him tools he now can use to cope with situations that used to stress him out or frighten him. He is still a softie dog, but he is much more comfortable with the world around him, performing these known safe behaviors make him feel good.
Martin is now CGC 'NOLA'S Rider of the Storm' BN RN and working on more titles. The best comment I get at events is "What a great, happy working dog!" I am SO proud of the little man because I know the challenges he faces and the fears he puts aside to have some fun with me or because I ask him to. We even took first place in our class at that very same Nor Cal Terrier show.
Thank you Tiffany for helping us develop the bond we share and reach for the stars. Loki is an amazing dog and you helped Martin reach his potential. For everyone out there, YOUR dog is amazing too, what can he/she do?? I bet they might surprise you!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The First Post! SCAREY
Welcome!
Mountain House Dogsports is a small training group located in the Placerville area(currently) with a commitment to stretching our skills as owner/handlers and helping our dogs reach their own unique potential. Our core group is made up of handlers with competitive goals, but we welcome any and all dog owners interested... in furthering their dog’s(and their own!) training.
You will see information on classes, the work that goes on in class and more than a few unplanned comical moments.
This is also place where we will post information on local compition events and other events of interest. So stop by, tell us what you're up to and join us for Saturday training class.
Mountain House Dogsports is a small training group located in the Placerville area(currently) with a commitment to stretching our skills as owner/handlers and helping our dogs reach their own unique potential. Our core group is made up of handlers with competitive goals, but we welcome any and all dog owners interested... in furthering their dog’s(and their own!) training.
You will see information on classes, the work that goes on in class and more than a few unplanned comical moments.
This is also place where we will post information on local compition events and other events of interest. So stop by, tell us what you're up to and join us for Saturday training class.
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