Kerry Blue Terrier Performance Newsletter

January 2008

By Jane Eno

This winter I’ve been having fun working with two new DVDs I’ve bought myself. They have given me lots of indoors things to do with my Kerry during these cold months.

The first is Susan Garrett’s “Crate Games for Self-Control and Motivation.” This DVD is particularly interesting to anyone with a young Kerry they want to show in obedience or agility, (or any sport, actually). Self-control is probably the biggest issue I’ve had in training my Kerry, Jessie, over the years. He seems to always just have to look at something, or check something out, and even if he doesn’t actually do it, he becomes distracted because he is thinking about it. So anything that involves working on self-control is very appealing to me. The motivation part isn’t as much of an issue, since Jessie is always very motivated to do everything, (usually everything at once -- back to self-control). Anyway, this DVD shows you how to use a simple wire crate as a motivational tool in training. The dog is taught to LOVE being in the crate. I am actually finding I have to shut the crate when I am in the same room as it, because Jessie goes and gets in his crate all ready to start to play, and who can resist a Kerry begging to play?

The other DVD I have been playing with is Debbie Gross Saunders’ “Get On the Ball.” This DVD is the other end of the spectrum. Even though there is a whole section on puppy exercises, the DVD is awesome strength training for an older or currently competing dog. The DVD shows you how to use a set of TheraBalls to strengthen and stretch both the dog’s core body, and specific areas like front and hind limbs. If your Kerry is getting a little older, or has been knocking bars, I would recommend this. Not only has Jessie seemed more agile and fit, but his top line (always having been a little roached) even seems to have improved in look and is more relaxed to the touch. Even more than that, Jessie seems to love doing his exercises. When I get a Theraball out, he comes right over and puts his front legs on it, tail wagging.

The Theraballs also seem fairly indestructible. When I first inflated it and placed it on the ground, Jessie thought he would need to pop it. I was laughing too hard to stop him. He tried everything – biting it, rolling it with his nose, leaping on it, and slamming it into walls. The Theraball lived through the ordeal without a scratch. Very impressive! Both these DVDs are available at the Clean Run website: Cleanrun.com.

Brags

From Dana Kincaid:
Araglyn Inherit NA NAJ the Wind, "Windy", earned her Novice Agility (NA) title in January, 2008. Windy seems to enjoy being a dual ring dog. The weekend before completing her Agility title, she picked up points in Conformation.

Last Updated: 02/07/2008, 5:41 pm