FUN IN THE SUN!!!
Yes, I know the weather’s been AWFUL, to say the least…but here is something to take your mind off of it. Enjoy! XO Stacie & Ronan
Westminster Pt. 2
So…I’m simply going to build on what I spoke about last week. You should check out the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show concluding this evening on USA Network. Last night they featured dogs from the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding Groups.
What you see on these televised shows are the breed winners from the day’s competitions, which then compete in the Groups. You can see the actual breed competitions on AKC.org which has videos for each one.
Please tune in. Tonight you will see the Sporting, Terrier, and Working Groups, as well as Best In Show. It’s a great learning experience as well as great fun!In the meantime, a winter-faced Ronan.
Hugs to the pups, Stacie
2015 Westminster Dog Show & Masters Agility Championship
Tibetan Spaniel Being Shown
It’s almost here! The 2015 Westminster Dog Show is next Monday & Tuesday (2/16 & 2/17) and the group competitions will be televised at 8pm. If you’ve never seen the Westminster Dog Show (or any dog show for that matter), don’t miss it – this is a SPECIAL one to see!
Westminster is considered the most prestigious dog show IN THE WORLD, and is the 2nd oldest continuous sporting event in the US! Westminster differs from other shows in a few ways: 1) it’s the fanciest show around. Exhibitors are all dressed up and judges are often seen in long gowns and tuxes. 2) All of the dogs showing already have their AKC (American Kennel Club) championship. 3) It is considered a “benched show” meaning that there are designated times when the dogs are available for your close-up admiration and often owners, breeders, and handlers will happily answer questions in hopes to educate the public about their chosen breed.
Mike Reed and “Frankie”
Border Collie
You may think you don’t have any interest because maybe you don’t have a pure breed dog, but whether your beloved canine is a pure breed, designer cross, or a “Heinz 57 mutt” (I mean that most affectionately) they all go back to at least one of these foundation breeds. You may notice a trait in your dog that you just can’t figure out, and the explanation my lie within the background stock.
Westminster also gives you a chance to try your skill at picking the winners! Keep in mind – each dog is not compared to the next. They are judged against the “standard” for that breed, as set forth by the AKC. What you get to see on TV are the group competitions, which are the winners from that day’s breed competition (which is why you will only see one of each breed). There are seven groups – Herding, Working, Toy, Terrier, Sporting, Non-Sporting, and Hound.
If you are truly interested, you can find out the judging program for each breed during the day, buy your ticket(s) and take a trip into NYC to see the breed competitions in person! Then make an entire day out of it and stay for the groups at night.
Golden Clears Agility Jump
The Masters Agility Championship is live Saturday 2/14 and airs Sunday 2/15 from 12-2. What you get to see on TV are the winners (10) from each of the size groups. The dogs are amazing works of art in motion, and are true athletes. Agility is very different from the breed competition in that the dogs & owners are scored on their abilities to get through the courses accurately and quickly, with no emphasis on their looks. This is purely a performance event, and an extremely exciting one at that – I am often on the edge of my seat!
There are other types of dog shows, trials and competitions to attend: obedience, herding, earth dog, field… just to name a few. I hope you will investigate and expand your horizons!
Mike Reed & “Ben”
Tibetan Spaniel
I hope you will check out these up coming events – there’s so much to see and learn! Sometimes they update the rules, sometimes they allow new breeds – whatever the case, you’ll never see the same show twice! Go to: http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2015/show/info.html to get all of the details for watching on TV or going there in person.
To all of my friends showing at Westminster – best of luck, especially Mike & “Ben” (and Sue) and Mike & “Frankie” (and Stephanie)!!!
Stacie & Ronan
PS…have you hugged your dog today???
The Importance of an Attention Command (“LOOK”)
8 week Henry practicing “LOOK”
All dog owners should teach and master a command that gets their dog’s attention. I like to say “LOOK” but anything that is used specifically for this command is fine. This command is not to be confused with your dog’s name, as their name has no actual meaning – it’s not a command. Some dog training instructors take the time to help owners to teach their dogs name recognition. I have never done this. I’d like to think that my dogs are smart enough to learn their names on their own (hee hee), but I do instruct clients to teach their dogs a “LOOK” or similar command.
“LOOK” means “Give me your undivided attention immediately for as long as I say.” By saying the command quickly, sharply, and with a positive tone your dog will usually look in your direction. I train them to look at my eyes by using a treat. I don’t say their name first, but that’s my personal preference. I think it’s important that they are focusing on the command itself, especially in the beginning.
There are times I’ll be working with someone and when their dog doesn’t look they start using their name, unaware that they’ve changed what they are trying to teach. It goes something like this: “LOOK. Charlie LOOK. Charlie…Charlie…CHARLIE…”. That’s not what we’re aiming for. We want the dog to learn the command.
The “LOOK” command is important for many reasons: it can get their attention when they are playing with another dog, it can get their attention when they are about to chase after a squirrel or groundhog, it can build your dog’s trust and respect, and can be a calming exercise (when practiced regularly where the “LOOK” is held longer and longer.)
Don’t overlook this important command, and don’t forget about it as your dog gets older. Remember, dogs are like a continuous work in progress – they need reminders to keep them on their toes!
Hugs to the pups,
Stacie & Ronan
