April 2008

By Jane Eno

In preparation for bringing home my new Kerry Blue Terrier puppy, I am reading lots of books and articles on training a puppy for show and performance events. The Clean Run Puppy Issue is one of best resources for this I have found. In that special publication, there is an article, “Hello, Puppy!” by Sheila Booth, I particularly liked.

In this article, she goes through how to pick a puppy, integrate it into the pack, and introduce it to its new life. One segment called, “Exposure with Protection,” talks about socializing the puppy in a positive way. She suggests that you formulate a plan when you bring your puppy into a new situation; something I’ve found important even with an older dog. Leave the dog in the car – go into the building first with your crate, bags and chair. Find a nice place to set up. Notice which dogs are reactive and plan a way to avoid them when you return with your puppy. Then go back out, get the puppy, and return with your full attention on your puppy to insure anything the puppy experiences in this new venue is positive.

She suggests also that you do not use this time to let your puppy play with other puppies. Reserve any time at a performance venue for interaction with you only. Teach the puppy that when at an agility, obedience or conformation event, the purpose is to play great games with you. Pick other times, away from the sports you pick, to socialize the puppy with other dogs. I have been planning my summer around obedience trials, seminars, and private lessons with some top trainers on the east coast. Summer is a great time to get out and try new things. I hope everyone is having a great time too.

Brags

From Jane:
I did not get permission to post any of the exciting information about the new herding title from the owner of the dog, but I do want to post my own congratulations to Allen and Layla, (Ch Liberty’s Princess Diana PT-s), for passing Pre-Trial Sheep Herding Test. I have emailed and asked for permission and more information, and hope I will get news on this exciting achievement for the next newsletter. For now, all I can say is congratulations!

From Bryan Kincaid:
On back-to-back April weekends, Windy completed her Open Agility Jumpers title and finished her Conformation Championship from the Bred By Exhibitor class. Her title is now CH Araglyn Inherit the Wind NA OAJ.

Windy's mom, Daisy, completed her Agility Excellent Preferred (AXP) title in April, also.

From Susan Coliton:
Eidenbock's Jamison Lee, CD, RAE-3 is 8 legs towards his RAE-4.
Afton's MidSomer Night's Dream CD, RE is 5 legs towards her first RAE.

Jamie won’t show again until the Hangtown Kennel Club the 3rd week in May at Placerville, California. Somer will show again at SkyLine Kennel Club the beginning of June.

Last Updated: 05/11/2008, 4:04 pm