When I was a little girl, I was obsessed with dogs. (Not much has changed) Some of my earliest memories as a toddler, were sitting on the floor with a dog, caressing its soft fur and felt simply bursting with love and a sense of kinship. Canines gravitated towards me, I’m not sure if that is because I was so tiny and already at their level, or because I was quiet and unchallenging and they sensed a kindred spirit. Growing up as an only child, often in Northern Ontario, there were not many children to play with. My very first playmate was a wire fox terrier named Buffy. I don’t remember Buffy passing, all of a sudden she wasn’t there, and my parents brought into the house a glossy huge magazine called “Dogs in Canada”. Perhaps they were searching out breeders for a new dog, I was too young to know, but I thumbed back and forth through that magazine first gazing at the photos of the different breeds, and then as I got older reading every word of the articles and breed standards. I cut out photos of dogs I liked and gazed and daydreamed, that magazine was like my bible, I treasured it. I specifically remember being most in love with Bull terriers, Rottweiler’s and Doberman’s. Instead of bringing another dog into the house, my mother decided I should have a cat, and kittens had claws and scratched me, which upset me greatly as they were nothing like a dog. This did not sway my parents who then adopted an adult cat. This cat was supposed to be my first pet. She hated all of us, didn’t like to be pet, wouldn’t cuddle or play with me…to be honest, I didn’t really enjoy her all that much. I begged for a dog, I pleaded for a dog, I prayed for a dog, I asked Santa, I asked Jesus…I cried. No dog. I can’t even begin to explain the heartache in my tiny soul. Every night I would go through all the back issues of Dogs in Canada wishing, hoping & praying that one day I could be like the people in these pages and raise my own dogs. As I got older, I purchased every dog breed book, canine veterinary book and reference book I could get my hands on…knowledge filling the void in my dogless life. Every year in March my parents had a booth at the Toronto Sportsman Show at Exhibition Place, back in the day the top floor was dedicated to the MNRF wildlife exhibit, antiques and the Purebred Dog section. Breeders came to showcase their breed and market their business. There was even a green carpeted ring where 2 times a day they had a “dog show” of Meet the Breeds where breeders would parade their dog around the ring while the announcers read off fun facts and breed standard information. I was hooked, I lived upstairs. (Luckily my parents didn’t mind) The Dog breeders didn’t mind either as they sensed my eagerness. I also was always willing to take the dogs to do their business, clean up after them, fetch coffee, anything to be a part of the action. One older lady took a shine to me, and let me groom and show her English Bulldog for Meet the Breeds. This moment stands out as pivitol in my life…I do not even know who she was, but I am grateful for her kindness. Over the years we owned a handful of dogs, an Airedale, Wheaten Terrier, a German Wirehaired Pointer, a Doberman and another Wire Fox Terrier who would become the foundation of my first breeding program. The dog breeding & show world is not easy to navigate for a newbie, and while I have whelped, raised and re-homed multiple litters, some my own and others for breed rescue, the show scene is by far the hardest to figure out. With my current dog, a Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon I might be breaking into something I have wanted for my entire life. Perhaps one day the dog on one of those glossy magazine pages will be mine, and I will feel like that dream I had as a little girl has really come true.
0 Comments
Oh a hunting we will go! Let me begin by saying I don't hunt. I shoot with cameras, and while I am not anti-hunting, I feel very uncomfortable around guns. Not off to a great start?
I have been a family pet dog trainer for over 15 years, I mainly work with young dogs and rescues. I have done rescue training and re-homing with puppies...so how hard can this NAVHDA thing be? My breeder wanted me to get his NA “Natural Ability”, so I joined NAVHDA International and purchased the video to see how I should prepare. My Sporting breed friends at dog shows were telling me to avoid this group and instead do the CKC Field Dog Jr, title. It seems that there is a clique/elitist perception around NAVHDA events. After watching numerous videos and working with Kanoe on tracking and swimming, I was sure that I had it handled. I didn’t have an easy time connecting with anyone to learn more about the test and to get registered…It was a bit stressful. I ended up paying for 2 NAVHDA NA tests by 2 different chapters to ensure that I had a spot in case he failed the first one. (I didn’t get a refund) This test is time sensitive and has to be completed before they are 16 months of age. I was loathe to cross the border for a hunt test, so things were a bit panicked until I was able to enter a test. On the day of the test I was up at 3:30am to drive the 3 hours to the test site…FUN! When I arrived at the test site, cold coffee in hand, I felt like a total fish out of water, in a sea of camo and true blaze orange. Was I the only one in a cute orange equestrian jacket? Was I the only woman? Crowded around me were groups of men. It seems that people brought their hunting buddies, mentors and coaches with them for the day. People had coaches! Some people had trained for months for this test. Boy did I misunderstand the term Natural Ability! At this point I started to sweat. When I was escorted to the test site, I found myself immediately in trouble. It seems that NAVHDA trainers have a different idea than that of my dog show & obedience friends. They are against chain and slip lead collars (nowhere was this written down in any training material)…so I had a bunch of older white men looking at me like I was a clueless idiot. Cue REAL stress sweat…I blew it and the test hasn’t even started yet! Luckily I always carry a spare flat buckle collar. They were also most unhappy to hear that he had not experienced gun shots over his head yet. Yikes!! So without further ado the leash comes off and my dog is free to begin the search and point portion of the test. It was decided because I was new and the Jr. Judge was new (and female) that she would squire me around the test. I had prepared at home by walking my dog in a zig zag pattern through the field to make it easier to find the birds. I was told however, to not do that, but rather walk in a circle around the outside edge of the field, and my dog was supposed to go through the middle and find the birds. I did not receive much guidance or advice from the judge making this a really confusing and bumbling exercise. Kanoe found the first bird, held a point and flushed it himself, he then preceded to chase after it, not coming back when I called. I was calling him and blowing my whistle like a crazy person. He did return, and found, pointed and held the next point until I flushed…he also came when called this time. He did not flinch or even react to the gun shot. I felt like we had come back from the brink…but the judges wanted him to find and point another bird, they didn’t want him to focus on the area of the field he was sure had a bird, so we gave up and called him back. (I feel like I should have trusted my dog over the judge’s opinion of where the bird was) Feeling a bit down in the dumps, I headed back to get ready for the next exercise and to pick all of the burrs out of his pristine show coat…so far I was hating the day and wanted to cry. I found out after that when he ran off through the thicket he found the man with the bird cages on his ATV and pointed the birds, he didn’t come to me because he had a solid point. It was nice of the man to inform me of this and he said my dog had a natural talent he wasn’t being disobedient…wish he had told the judges! The water exercise should have been his forte. Kanoe loves water, but we are used to clean water and open spaces, this pond was a small clay filled, muck ringed hole in the side of the field. After much fanfare & encouragement he went into the water 3 times, the judges asked for a 4th time, and while he didn’t retrieve the dummy, he went into the water as asked, swam, turned around and came out. No-one told me that when your dog comes out of the water you have to straddle him. I still cannot figure out the point other than getting me soaking wet and muddy. Having a show dog, I find it very possible to showcase their coat, conformation, balls & bite without holding them in a reverse bear hug. Strange people these hunters! Having survived this test, without my dignity intact, I was sure I failed my dog and was feeling defeated. I was so far out of my element that I could have been on Mars. I had to take a moment and sit in my car to gather myself. I was feeling bone weary tired, as only those can feel that have walked acres in a stressful situation and had a very excited dog pulling like a lunatic on the end of a lead without much control. One exercise to go…the only one I thought I knew how to do. Working dogs track…I had Kanoe track...but what if he was opposed to a live pheasant…what if he ran away? What if tracking the way I know it, is not how you train a hunting dog? The sweat at my armpits, must have been all the way to my ankles…everyone around me seemed like a pro…and I was just a newbie with no clue what I was doing. We had to drive along the edge of a dusty road to a farmer’s field where they had set up a blind. Kanoe and I traipsed through the field, with me pulling his collar up high, so I could have more leverage and in his excitement he wouldn’t drag me. I didn’t have much left in me. Finally the judge’s called us out and I took Kanoe to the spot marked with feathers, let him smell and unclipped the lead. He was off! What a spectacular beautiful sight to see dogs in action, doing what they were bred for. Kanoe followed that track directly to the pheasant and pointed it! He held the point and I was able to walk up to him and clip his lead back on. As I was walking back my peers were literally clapping and cheering! We did it! He followed the exact track they said! That was perfect they said, High five you did it! They said. And with that…when they read the scores HE PASSED! Kanoe earned his NAVHDA NA (Natural Ability) title with no help from me! I was super nervous about this SD&G show, my first time away and even though I know my handler and a few other people, I was heading there alone. A total dog show newbie. We did it! Winners Dog and Best of Winners for a 3pt Major, the first time out! This dog brings a tear to my eye...he's so funny and makes me think we can do anything together. He has earned a treat tonight! Kanoe did it again the second day picking up 2 points as Winners Dog! I am so lucky to have exceptional handlers to guide the way and a great breeder who gives me support. We now have 5 points toward his Championship. This has been a life goal for me, finishing & titling a dog. Onwards!
BPISS BourgRoyal Nature Boy CGNSo Proud of my boy BourgRoyal Nature Boy CGN !!
Thank you Judge Mr. D. Wong of Australia for awarding my boy BPISS at the Ontario All Pointing Breed Field Dog Club Specialty Friday June 1, 2018. Expertly handled by Monica Park. Special thanks to CJ Dyment And his breeders BourgRoyal Renée Fortier & Gilbert Tremblay The CKC Canine Good Neighbour Program CGN is a 12 step test that upon passing showcases that your dog is a well behaved companion capable of presenting good manners in public, around strangers & other dogs. The CGN test is non competitive, and allows you and your dog to show confidence and control while navigating each of the 12 steps. The test assesses the dog and handlers relationship, and the handlers ability to control their dog. The dog is evaluated on its ability to handle basic everyday exercises with good manners. These are the 12 steps that you and your dog must pass:
This test is open to both purebred and mixed breed dogs. The program encourages responsible pet ownership and is an excellent goal to practice for as you ensure a well behaved canine citizen.
The test is a Pass/Fail and if you are not successful on the first attempt the evaluators give you valuable feedback for further training so that you can retake the test successfully. CLICK HERE for the Canine Good Neighbour Handbook to learn more about the program. I believe that every dog should take part in the training necessary to pass this evaluation. If shelters had a solid training program in place that prepared dogs to pass this program either before or after they were adopted, less dogs would be returned. If dog training schools, gave their students a solid goal to shoot for, it would instill more confidence and as a benchmark of their training progress... far more than a certificate of graduation from the training school. CFIA – ONE-YEAR INACTIVATED RABIES VACCINES FOR DOGS AND CATS TO BE PHASED OUT January 8, 2018 Canadian importers of rabies vaccines will be phasing out the importation of the “1-year” labelled inactivated rabies vaccines (i.e. rabies vaccines with a one-year DOI claim and an annual revaccination label recommendation for dogs and cats). These vaccines will no longer be offered for sale in Canada after March 31, 2019. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) sent a letter to inform provincial and territorial Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOS) of this change. All inactivated rabies vaccines licensed for use in Canada are manufactured in the United States, and imported into Canada by a few Canadian importers. Currently, rabies vaccines in Canada carry either a one-year or a three-year duration of immunity (DOI) claim and revaccination recommendations for dogs and cats. The three-year vaccines are licensed for primary immunization of young animals as well as subsequent booster vaccination, and allow for use consistent with current American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) guidelines. The three-year rabies vaccines in Canada may continue to be marketed with one-year revaccination recommendations for non-dog-and-cat species, as DOI beyond one year for these minor species has not been established. Contact CFIA.CCVBManager-GestionnaireCCPBV.ACIA@inspection.gc.ca with questions Reprinted from CVMA News Its a dog owners worst nightmare...your dog runs off chasing a creature through the forest and doesn't come when you call, or they get in a tangle with a wild animal...or become injured. What do you do? I have been off leash hiking with my dogs through our 400 acres of wilderness paradise my entire life and have never had an issue. This season, I had enough drama to last a lifetime all in one day. I have been fortunate enough to never have a tick on my dog, and only 1 episode with fleas more than 25 years ago. I found a tick on one of our dogs and freaked out...I'm pretty sure I removed it properly and sealed it in a jar in case it needs to be sent away for Lime Disease testing...and YES it was a black legged deer tick! You betcha I had 2 showers ripped the sheets off my bed and washed them in very hot water with bleach...can you tell my dogs sleep in my bed...and under the covers too! But this wasn't the drama, that came later when my father "released the hounds" to go for a romp and do their business. My beloved rescue dog Semaa didn't come when she was called...and when she did come in, had a face full of porcupine quills!!! When you live over an hour away from the closest vet and its the weekend, aka Closed...what do you do? We decided to extract them ourselves...and let me tell you this is incredibly painful for the dog, luckily I have some vet tech experience. Still your heart breaks to cause your dog pain. I will forever keep on hand a medicine kit and long needle nose pliers. The quills were moving into her face as we were trying to extract them! I watched as the came up through her lips by her teeth, and had to put the pliers inside her mouth to pull them out. I had on hand Metacam for pain and inflammation, and we have begun a ritual of epsom salt soaks in the evening. She appears to be healing well...even though it took 3 people and 4.5 hours to remove the quills. MUCH LESS DRAMA WHEN DONE UNDER ANESTHESIA BY A VETERINARIAN. Yes...Im shouting...if your dog tangles with porky prickly pig...to the vet ASAP!! Do you have a plan if your dog is injured while you are out camping or hiking? Do you carry a med kit "just in case"? Do you know how you would transport them if they cannot walk, or restrain them if they become aggressive from the pain?
I know that I want to be prepared...its essential due to our remote location. Here are some links for classes and first aid kits Walk N Wags Pet First Aid Book: Field Guide to Dog First Aid, Emergency Care for the Outdoor Dog The Ultimate First Aid Kit for Dogs via Outside Online Do You have a dog who plays in the muck?Does your dog love rolling in the mud and muck? Splashing through beaver ponds and rolling on the sandy beach? Our canine friends adore cottage country almost more than we do...but what they bring home with them...might be a bit too dirty for the cottage. While we cant be there to bath Rover for you...we can suggest a great collar...quite literally made for cottage life! The Hydro collars are bright, waterproof, vegan and have no smell. These collars are nylon covered in a rubberized coating, that are incredibly durable...they do not crack and are guaranteed to never get dirty. Where leather will absorb water, mud, muck & stink, these collars look bright as new with a rub down in soapy water. Make your hydro collar as unique as your pampered pal. The collars can be customized with over 8 bright colours, 3 widths, and a huge array of charm options. Your dog will look clean & stylish both in and out of the water. Dogs cant get enough of playing in the snow. There is something funny & endearing about watching your dog experience snow for the first time. Some jump back in surprise, and others dive right in and roll around in it. Our Wire Fox Terrier gets the snow zoomies and runs around us in circles at top speed. Keeping your dog warm in the winter is an important factor in their enjoyment of the season. If you are cold, they can be also. Some dogs like greyhounds can hardly manage a few minutes in the cold, while huskies and other northern breeds revel in it. Make sure you have the proper gear to keep your dog warm in the winter, and don't leave them outside in the cold for long periods of time. Dogs like Dobermans and whippets who do not have a lot of body fat can suffer from frostbite on their ears and body. What to look for when searching for canine winter attire? I always hunt for quality products. While they may be more expensive they will outlast the cheap stuff every time. Dogs are hard on their gear...you need products that will stand up. Winter Gear GuideThe Horseware Ireland brand of Rambo Dog coats are both affordable, stylish, and fit very well! This has been my go- to dog coat for many seasons. The Striped Polar Fleece coat is great for brief jaunts outside, it doesn't pill and is machine washable. It is best under the winter coat, or on a day where it is not rainy or very snowy. I adore this blanket but it is not waterproof and can get quite dirty if they roll. The green winter blanket is made of the same rip-stop material as the horse blankets, it is waterproof and breathable. With the velcro closure and belly band they are super easy to get on and off. I give both 5 star ratings!
Often when we are away at the cottage, there is not a veterinarian close by. It's important to be prepared in case of an accident or emergency with your four legged friend. The supplies listed can be kept in a plastic tackle type box, small Rubbermaid box, or duffel bag...so it is always at the ready. There are a variety of companies found on the internet that sell first aid kits. In our experience many of these are far from complete. This Emergency First Aid Kit is not intended to be a substitute for professional care. No list of supplies or thoughts on care are as helpful or safe as actual Veterinary medical assistance. While not complete, this list gives a good idea of what you should have on hand in case your dog becomes sick or injured. Many items on this list double as first aid for humans as well. Pet First-Aid KitIts always good to have on hand the number of your own Veterinarian, Pet Insurance info as well as the closest Veterinarian to where you are staying and or the after hours Veterinary Emergency Clinic. 1. Flashlight
|
Grove DogsWe support responsible owners & Happy Dogs.
Dog friendly cottage rentals. We spread education by example. Canine Good Neighbor trained. Obedience*Conformation *Education*Socialization Cottage dogLooking for a place to go on vacation with your four legged friend? Dog Friendly Cottages helps you find 4 season accommodation for you and your pet in Ontario's cottage country. Archives
February 2023
Categories
All
|