A hopefull introduction/announcement

[gemy]

Groomer is sorted. We are going with a young gal - confirmed with her at the Pet Expo on Sunday.


But I am having a bit of a problem getting Dara out on her own with me. Hubby always wants to come along and quite frankly I don't want him there.


I need to up her training, and he stands disapproving. She has no reliable recall as he has not worked with her on long training lead - she does not know the hand signals as he has not from day 1 combined the command with the appropriate hand signal.


he doesn't like it when I put her on long lead, he is a nervous Nellie about it. She dances around being cute and not obedient, and he lets her get away with it! Not me! She is being spoiled in a way that is not good for her. He does not understand what a dominant bitch is, and we now only have a short window of time to make the proper in-roads.


The problem is she has a very appealing sunny personality (most of the time), but is both head strong and only obeys when she wants to. And she is constantly challenging the obedience line. And in her own sweet and somewhat sneaky way. Puts a foot into the kitchen when she has been told out - and all the other doggies are staying out - then she sneaks in the rest of her body. She is corrected - then waits and tries the same thing at the other entrance to the kitchen.


In short she is a challenge.

[gemy]

I am quite impressed with this young groomer gal. She is shaping and scissoring so correctly for our breed.


She is a keeper! And she will come with us to the USA National Specialty ! Hoo Haw... I will pay her way of course. But she will share the driving and exercising of our three dogs.


I will discretely put the word out - and she could even earn some money there grooming. Plus I know there will be Russian groomers there she could learn from.


Quite delighted with this gal!

[gemy]

https://www.facebook.com/gail.mclarn...7385697&type=3

[gemy]

We did a tracking workshop last Sunday and Dara did great - several breeders there who commented on (as they all know me) who did Daras' grooming she looks great!
So now I am scared that she will get too popular! LOL and not have time for me.


I also am mulling over two top knotch trainers - think I should put Dara in Schutzhund. IJDK. Would she be happier there? Iwant to do SD - Service Dog training with her. Both said her drive might be a problem - that you will need to work around. Sigh! Not impossible of course. So I silently debate with myself.


Awh well next weekend Dara goes to a CKC show in Kitchener - she gets show groomed Wed.

[yorkiemini]

Way to go Dara!!!!

"Drive" in a Service Dog can, as you pointed out, be a problem a sometimes major. That drive creates some independent thinking/impulse that does not work well with SD. When Cali was in training drive was a reason some of the dogs failed, i.e., often a cat or a squirrel were involved. Some breeds mature more quickly than others and that was explained to me when one of Cali's dearest dog friends had to leave the program. But...as you also said, it can often be managed - Cali is a mega squirrel driven dog, but once that harness goes on she has learned to be all business - she is 6 years old now so her self discipline is good, but we had our moments of "oh no SQUIRREL" and focus was gone! The trainers were very clear that the breed and age had an effect on that, as well as the handler's positive reinforcement. We spent a lot,of time in parks full of squirrels and kids to help Cali get that message straight

I love hearing you tell a out Dara's progress and exploits. She is clearly one smart and gorgeous gal! Your affection for her is apparent as well! We love the BRT!

[gemy]

Thank you Jay for your thoughts. She did a little better today on regular CD obedience training - I kept hubby in the house...LOL


She is decidedly short on focus. Bores easily, but in a different way to Magic.


In any case she needs a least one formal obedience title - then I will see.

[gemy]

Getting excited for the show this upcoming weekend. Only 2 BRT's entered a young gal under one year old and Dara at 18 mths almost old. The problem is they are two very different typed BRT's. Both will be shown by very experienced exhibitors......... One my gal has a long tail and one is docked.


The younger gal has a short more cobby body - and quite frankly overweight. Sometimes she moves with her tail down - and of course still has puppyish movement. My gal is built like a racehorse - and maintained in lean sports condition. And she has very correct movement. She also has a beautifull head - very fine for a female of this breed. And the head should approximately be 40% of the judging evaluation - along with the ever more important movement.


My concern is judges of this breed who are new to breed often judge on massiveness. My gal is not *massive* just lean and mean condition.


Now with an outdoor show temperature is an issue. On Sat we are showing at 1 30 and on Sunday at 9 30. Sat is going to be about 90 degrees gawd help us! A large black dog out in the sun in 90 degree temps - not our ideal time to show!


Such are the thoughts of an exhibitor. We are known to each other and I am sure we each hope to win. Her gal is not bad - just different to mine...

[yorkiemini]

Wishing you the best! We have out paws crossed

[gemy]

Grooming done. Melissa came at 11am and left at 5pm lol That is a very long time - but we had a tea break and a luncheon break.

[gemy]

Been in the kitchen from 1pm or so. Got lunches set up for our Victoria Day weekend. Baked a turkey a ham and made a lasagna. Potato Salad made Fresh home-made French loaf done. Cookies are cooling and baked the shortcake for tomorrows strawberry shortcake.


Yums. So just the grooming box to pack and tomorrow am - Wash beard - make a big breakie -pack cooler- and then we shall be on our way

[gemy]

Well just my shower to do. Food in cooler - grooming done and box packed. Some instructions for sis and then we are off! Whoopee.


Now what to wear? lol

[lisaly]

I will be thinking about and rooting for you and Dara. Have a wonderful time! It was only a few years ago I was rooting for you and Razzle, and look how far you both went! It was an amazing journey you had to both American and Canadian championships and then to Razzle's Grand Championship.

Dara is turning out to be such a beautiful girl with such a great, fun temperament. You waited a long time from her, and you persevered until you could get the right pup, at the right time, and even then had a genetic test for Canine Hyperuricosuria. You have such a special, loving bond with all of your pups. It has been beautiful for me to watch from afar. I'm thrilled that your dreams are coming true with Dara, just as they did with your very special Magic and your stunning, heart stealer Razzle.

Enjoy your time seeing friends and being back in the show world. Happy Victoria Day!

[gemy]

Thanks Lisa! We are back home and the day went well. Dara won breed, but did nothing in the group. So she earned a grand total of 1 point - lol -


She was quite distracted today - and that scent workshop we did - did her no favors in the ring - she constantly wanted to search for dropped bait! So no more scent work until she finishes her CH.


I am now trying to figure out how to upload a video from my ohone to the computer and then to you tube..lol Gotta love high tech!

[gemy]

Dara won breed today. Prob youngest dog in the group ring. She made the cut! WhooHoo!! For those that don't show that is a nod in your direction by the group judge. Dara didn't place in the top four - but she was a contender! Very good in the working group!


Here she is showing the cut. I apologize because it is hard to see.. But she is the first black dog to strut out her stuff in this video

http://youtu.be/6A7h3SQEfDs


Here is another video of her in the group ring - just coming out. We had 18 contenders for the group - and things can get a bit confusing as CKC continues to use small bloody rings for the fleet of foot! Working dogs should show their mettle in large rings with multiple go arounds. Stamina and fitness for their work is KEY


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ce...ature=youtu.be


Your working group for all their parts were developed to handle a human need. Usually pretty big boys n gals - strong might be the one keynote of this 26 member group, And strong can mean endurance - think of sled dogs - strong can mean human stoppers - think Mastiffs, Neos, and of course BRTs' one of the few very few dogs bred to stop humans. Strong might mean quick n fierce - Dobermans Giant Schanuzers

[gemy]

As an owner, breeder, exhibitor, I source and sometimes get opinions from my trusted mentors.


This weekend so far - I observed movement and structure on 3 upcoming YT puppies - 2 Black Russians.


I also got some feedback from my trainer - mostly negative about Daras state of obedience training. She is disappointed in me - and I understand that. So high I get them - and then they are let to slip! She does not understand I let Dave do the obedience for Dara - she trusts him not in this regard - and it follows how can I trust him to do this important thing? I say he needs a dog that is just his - and I try to stay out of the way. And she says to me - she needs you - I don't trust his obedience work - I trust yours. And there is a myriad of things not said but known. This is a large breed - very dominant needs to be under total control of their master. I ache for my hubby - who is found pretty lacking - I ache for him because all our dogs obey me and quite frankly bond with me best. And that for him is I think a constant heartache.


Everyone asks about Magic - how he is doing. I know their hearts are kind - but we all know he is at the end of his life! It tears me up - and my breeder friends understand - and want to stand ready for support if there is a sharp decline.


So here-in are my thoughts about this wkend.....