Happy Birthday Crazy Little Dog!

Today is my crazy little dog's birthday. Today my super smart Jack Russell Terrier, Brandy, turns (oh yuck, I hate to say it) 8 years old. Today I feel time has gone by way to fast.

Gawd, I love this little dog - Happy Birthday Bran! And here's to many, many more birthdays to come!!!

Brandy- The B-Hive: 

ADC, SGDC, AADC, RN MCL, RPT, CL2, CL3-R, CL3-H, CL3-S, CL4-R, 

HIT Agility JRTRO Trial 2009, JRTCC SGD, 4th Place 10" Canada Cup 2007

Below two photos courtesy of TTL Action Photography at the 2008 Royackers Canada Cup

JRTCC 2009 Nationals - Paris, ON

They were calling for rain the entire day, so I was skeptical about how things would go. As I drove in at 7:15 in the morning, the closer I got to Paris, the darker the skies got, bringing threats of an umbrella and rain-coat clad day. But low-and-behold, it held off and turned out to be a mainly cloudy, rather nice day to play at this national event.

I situated myself at the agility ring, and spent the entire day there. I got some nice shots shots of a few of the dogs running, but gave up after a while. It was too much to volunteer, run a dog, and photograph. Have I ever told anyone that I am uncoordinated?

And that uncoordination followed me into the ring, trailing behind me like a wet piece of toilet paper stuck to the bottom of my shoe without my knowledge.

Describing our runs as spastic, entertaining and crazy at most, is being generous. To be completely honest, they were flailing and erratic at best. The little dog was slightly nutty, cooler weather and grass will do that to Brandy, unfortunately. But I'm loosing my mind on course. I know it's my fault, I wish I could blame the little dog, but I can't, and she'd talk her way out of it some how anyway. Reviewing the runs in my head, all my turns were off, my signaling, well, picture a jelly fish trying to signal to someone to make a left turn. Chicken with it's head cut off comes to mind when describing these runs, and my timing was like that of a broken clock with no second hand.

That all being said, the little dog pulled up her shorts and managed to take the Small Dog Steeplechase Challenge, a new event added for this years nationals. A 1st place ribbon and wonderful gift basket was a great surprised after the less-than-perfect runs that we produced. I feel I say that phase far too much - I think it really needs to be removed from my vocabulary. Re-thinking my strategy and game plan for agility may be in order. Unfortunately, no pictures of Brandy running this time, as my "personal photographer" was not with me at this event...a shame it was her birthday.

I'm not in it for the fame and glory, I'm in it for fun, so even botched runs are ok with me, though Brandy may have a differing opinion.

Over all, the day was a blast, volunteering with the ladies that run the event was lots of fun, and entertaining in itself. The weather held out, I got to talk to people that I hadn't see in a while and I got to spend the day with my favorite little dog. What more could I ask?

Happy Birthday Brandy!!!

A tiny little baby Brandy

Today my little dog turns 7! I can not believe how much time flies. It seems like only yesterday, on a cool, sunny October morning in 2002, that we picked up the tiny little biting and humping bundle of energy.

I can honestly say that it was the best $350 we've ever spent, hands down. She was a challenge in the beginning, but once we found out that this little bugger loved to learn (puppy class being our first indication), things turned around, and in a heart-beat she became "the perfect" dog.

Through the years she has been my greatest teacher in regards to training dogs (or dogs training people, however you'd like to interpret that), and has been a willing, flash hating subject in all my photography and artistic adventures.

She's been everywhere with me, and is a testament to her breed. We dubbed her the "Love Dog" (with the "Love Boat" theme attached to it) because a day has never gone by without someone making a positive comment or smiling at her while we were out and about. From the old, to the thugged out youth (the term "sweet dog" has been used on occasion), they all fell in love. She is a people lover, and will go out of her way to meet and greet, which adds to her appeal.

Independent, stubborn, tenacious - yes these all describe her, she is a JRT you know, however, she is also sensitive, loving, comical and a willing worker. Surprisingly she does like to please, but on her terms, nothing like a golden retriever or a border collie though. She is awesome at agility when she wants to be, or more like when I don't throw her off, and she has quite a few titles to her name so far. And, with a little help from me, she even went and got her rally novice title, something that I never thought possible because it involves obedience - not her strong point, kind of like math is not mine.

Photo by Gabrielle Deans

Over all, she is a fantastic sport partner, a great teacher and a wonderful best friend. There will never be another Brandy - she really is one of a kind and I'm greatful for every moment that we spend together.

Happy Birthday Brandy, and here's to many, many, many more years of fun and friendship!!

Photo by Gabrielle Deans

Photo by Gabrielle Deans

Oh Brandy!

After some pondering yesterday, I've come to the conclusion (although grudgingly) that it was 98% my fault that we totally pooched the trial on Sunday. Reviewing in my mind, all of our outdoor trials, it seems it's only the AAC ones that give me an issue. CPE and JRTCC, no problem. CPE and JRTCC, no stress. AAC, though I like to deny it, there is some stress that surfaces. The little dog picks up on moods a bit too easily and I think she realizes that my confidence is down on these AAC runs, and she takes over ... and advantage (brat!). 

My handling definitely did not help the situation either. I felt like I was flailing around like a fish out of water during every run.  I'm sure I was throwing off some interesting instruction to the little dog while I ran around like chicken with my head cut off, my arms feeling like rubber bands, and my mouth not working fast enough to get commands out. It's really a shame that people were watching the performance that I gave. Though I suppose the entertainment value was high for the spectators. 

I still think that the weather played some roll in Brandy's insanity that day. And she was insane, you could see it in her eyes. The teeter fly-off proved that. 

Conclusion, bring a bottle of wine and a massage therapist to every AAC trial. That'll reduce stress!

ZERO!

It was a zero day for me and the little dog. I can't place blame, and I'm not sure what went horribly amiss, but the day just wasn't meant for qualifying runs. I'm sure everything boils down to my fault, but the little dog was crazy. Perhaps it was the fresh air, or the feel of young, green grass, with fresh morning dew under her feet. What ever it was, it gave her extra horse power and reduced cognitive skills.

We had equipment avoidance, lack of listening, and even a teeter fly-off, which hasn't happened for years. We also had an abundance of electricity in the air, and a few thunderstorms roll through the area, which could have greatly contributed to the oddity of the day (part of the day was spent huddling in the car, waiting for them to pass). It was actually the most lightening and thunder that I've been around for quite some time. The Niagara Escarpment seems to protect us from any major storms around where I live. This place, however, was not in the "protection zone".

The agility field just before a big one let go

Amazing watching the ominous looking clouds making their way towards us, listening to the thunder threaten the next runs, and watching the lightening in the distance, signalling everyone to take cover. At least the day wasn't a total bust, and I got some shots of the storms that joined us for our outdoor trial. Did I mention we don't normally do outdoor trials? I think we've been spoiled with all our indoor events - but I'm hazarding a guess that I should probably stick to trials with a roof over my head...perhaps it will be better luck (it normally is).

Waiting out the storm in her crate

Here comes another one

And another

Watching the storm through the windshield

JRTRO Trial June 6th

On a beautiful sunny, spring Saturday, this Saturday just past actually, Brandy and I competed in the JRTRO half of the JRTCC/JRTRO Twin Trials (June 6 & 7). It was the perfect day to be outside for 9 hours in a row. Lots of friendly faces, lots of food and lots of fun.

*Edit* The JRTRO is the Jack Russell Terrier Rescue of Ontario - helping unwanted jacks find new forever homes. Proceeds from this trial and the raffle go to support the rescue. A Parade of Rescues was held before the conformation began, and my sister and I were able to get some great shots of the rescue dogs, some of which will be featured in the rescue newsletter. We were also able to help out by volunteering to assist with agility for the day. Photos of the parade of rescues  and others from the trial will be posted a little later. www.russellrescue.org

We competed in barn hunt for the first time, placing 3rd in her division. Actually, I was quite happy with her performance as she ran right to the tube that contained the rat. Unfortunately, since we haven't played before, I made her check another tube before calling time, increasing her time and decreasing her placing, but she did well. Now I am aware of what to look for when she's signaling, so we will play again!

Trailing and locating anyone? Yes, we played that too, but we shall never speak of it again. Let's just say that the grass was too prickly for the princess and she wasn't into following a scent, but rather following me and waiting to be picked up - yeesh. I could see it in her face, "come on, let me get into the arms ... into the arms? Oh pleeeaaasssee?"

(*Note: "into the arms" really means into the arms - she's been taught to place herself on outstretched hands to be picked up, and believe me, it's come in handy during an outing in the woods when I got caught on a rather large log and needed to get her over it somehow - that, in itself, is another story.)

And agility ... oh agility. The little bugger ran perfect (or as close to perfect as one can get), taking Trial Champion for agility on the Saturday! First in Agility II, 2nd in Gamblers and 3rd in Jumpers. She looked happy, comfortable and like she was really enjoying herself - yeah for the new knee! 

(Please note all agility photos, excluding the ribbon photo, are courtesy of Gabrielle Deans, sister, and personal photographer)

Looking very happy

The perfect "drop" on the table - she is a table genius

Reward for a job well done!

Drives...and I'm not talking a Sunday one in the country

I am contemplating drives. Food, play and prey drives, as well as the drive to please.

Schutzhund, ring sport and police dog trainers often speak of drives, and through researching the types of methods used in training dogs for these different venues is where I learned the most about them. Agility trainers too speak of drives, but often in a different sense. Every one's idea of what drives are what differs, and I have seen arguments over personal definitions. No one can really agree, and what it seems to come down to is personal opinion. So, for my sanity, I will use my own personal opinion formed by studying different methods of training and behaviour.

I've had the privilege to assist with some agility classes over the past couple months, which is what got my little brain ticking on the topic of drives.

I have a VERY drivey dog. She is also a Jack Russell Terrier, which might account for the prey/play drives that I see in her (of course she is a chow hound too, but to her, killing a toy is much more satisfying). She is not a hunt club bred JRT (though recorded and participating with the JRTCC), she's more on the shortie side, but I wouldn't have her any other way. And even though she was not bred with the specifics of drives in mind, she carries these drives from her recent hunter ancestors. She is a Jack, after all, not a breed bred for the show ring, but a breed or type bred for work. Any type of work you throw at her, she will gladly do ... if it gets her something in return, be it a toy, the chase, food etc. She is extremely well balanced in her drives. She is not over-the-top at home, but when it comes to training, trialing, and chasing, I have a little demon on my hands. She didn't need to be taught or helped along with her drives, she never needed motiviation, she just had them. She came with them, as an added bonus. Kind of like, "if you order this fillet knife now, we'll throw in an extra fillet knife and a paring knife for the same price!" Or "if you order this little dog now, we'll throw in some play, prey and food drives for the same price!".

Sometimes dogs don't come with these added bonuses and this is what I have been observing in the agility classes. I have a more experienced dog on my hands, with knowledge and understanding of the sport, so I shouldn't compare apples to oranges, as this great group students are green and still learning the in's and out's of agility. I can say, however, that I am still somewhat disappointed?... No, that's not the right word, maybe taken aback better describes how I feel. So I am a little taken a back with the lack of prey/play drives that I am seeing.

Quite a few of the dogs have the drives to please. Sometimes I envy their handlers, but then I realize that I wouldn't be having as much fun with a dog who's main goal it was to make me happy. I like the independent terrierness (yes, I made that up, it's now the word of the day) of my little girl, she's a challenge, and with that challenge, has taught me a great deal. I have some of that "terrierness" myself, so I can appreciate the temperament and attitude.

Almost all of the dogs have med-high to high food drives. Great, that helps immensely, but doesn't get the excitement level going quite as much as a high prey/play drive.

I have yet to see any of the dogs with high prey/play drives. Some have medium versions of these drives, but none have the intensity of a drivey border, kelpie, malinois, GSD or JRT.

So, from this point, I wonder ... can we really teach a dog to have the drive we desire? I think we can teach a dog to enjoy the chase, we can teach a dog to enjoy the game, and we can teach the dog to enjoy the tug, but I don't think we can teach a dog to have the drive. I believe they need to be born with it, in order to really possess it in it's entirety.

I am lucky. I am VERY lucky. But I've also picked a breed/type that most certainly can not fail when it comes to prey/play drive. I'm sure that there are some JRT's out there somewhere, that lack the intensity. Mine does not. However, my JRT is, as stated, nicely balanced. She's great in the house, calm to the point of laziness. She will, the odd time, obsess over the "ball" or the "toy" or the cat in the backyard, or the rabbit who is making it's home (without permission) in our wild flower garden, but these are all manageable. And I personally would prefer a dog that obsesses just a little to one that doesn't care in the least.

Is a dog who is bred for work/sport in a better position to receive it's natural drives than one bred for show or pet? I would have to say yes, though it does depend on the breed/type of dog that you acquire.

Some of these dogs, though lacking certain drives, will do very well in the sport, as they have the intelligence and desire to please that is also pertinent in training. Some of these lower drive dogs will even surpass their high drive counterparts because lower drives are easier to handle, easier to manage and easier to control. They will work for food, and the food will be good enough for them as a reward for a job well done. Food drive for these dogs will be imperative. Food may even entice them to reach a level of excitement close to that of a highly play/prey driven dog. Some drives to please will even show these results, the dogs being so eager for praise and affection that it gets them excited at the prospect.

Those who can hone the highly prey/play driven dogs seem, in my own observations, to have the quickest, most intense runs. Though, this isn't always a goal as sometimes slow and steady does win the race.

And, with high drive dogs, if the dog is not balanced, you run the risk of "craziness", major obsessions, hugely immense exercise needs, dogs who can not settle and so on.

So again, I am extremely lucky. But then, a JRT is like no other dog out there, and perhaps that is what is so special about them.

I'm looking forward to seeing how these students progress and will watch with interest as to how they motivate their companions in the sport.