Fall Training Pays Off

We are so proud to report that our training has had exciting results in the competition ring this Fall.  

• In October, Ch. Asgoodasitgets At Mt. High CD, RE, CGN, (AKA Castle) accompanied by Connemara’s Drummer Boy, CD, RE, CGN, SHDM, SD, HS, attended the World Cybersport Rally Obedience Trials at Sit Happens! in Calgary, Alberta. 
•  Both dogs were only entered in one trial, and both of them passed the Level One Course with flying colors.  
• Drummer’s score was 209/210 for High in Class, and Castle’s score was 203/210 for second place.  

In November, both Drummer and Castle attended the Lethbridge and District Kennel Club Dog Show.  Friday night, Castle set the bar for the rest of the teams trying to gain their Canine Good Neighbor status with his steady, stellar performance.  Thanks to Pets Go Raw for providing each of the 20 teams entered with a sample of bison and beef jerky.  It was a gesture much appreciated. 

Saturday and Sunday, Drummer entered the Open A obedience ring and was High in Class in both performances.    


He had more than enough stamina left to race like a rock star in the Scent Hurdle Racing after the show.

 We are now actively training Drummer for Utility Obedience and Castle is working in Open learning the dumbbell work.  He has his CD. title gained in August in Cranbrook and so he and Drummer will be looking for an opportunity to work in the Obedience Brace classes. 

We would certainly be amiss if we didn’t include Castle’s sister, Ch. Mountain High’s Go Black Gold, (AKA Beckett) on her Canadian championship. She will be aiming for her CGN and a rally title in the new year. She is also learning to do Nose Work, which is a scent sport where dogs learns to examine their environment for specific scents.  Right now she is working to detect Wintergreen.  

Just had to share this picture of our 12 1/2 year old Champion German Shepherd, Mesa, who is fed Pets Go Raw food exclusively.  Look at the wonderful condition her coat is in. Our veterinarian commented on the fact that she was 65 pounds and very athletic for a dog her age.  Addicted to chicken wing tips.... a good thing.

                                            Training Tip for the month….

The difference between an obedience trained dog and an unruly dog lies in the dog’s ability to pay attention to its owner over environmental distractions.  Teaching a dog to choose the owner over the environment takes little time.  Great treats and a collar and leash are a must.  Have the dog face you. Stand on its lead so that it cannot jump up on you.  Hold a tasty treat in the palm of each hand.  Hold out both hands to the dog to show it that you have treats in both hands.  Slowly split your hands and bring your arms out to your sides parallel to the ground. Wait for the dog to stop looking at the treats and, instead, make eye contact with you.  Say, “Yes,” to mark the correct behavior and give the dog the treat.  Repeat ten times.  Do this four times a day, and watch the dog choose to look only at you instead of the treat.  This is the start to obedience attention and can be taught to puppies as young as six weeks of age with great success. It is the foundation to all other training.