Rudy S. French Bulldog Loves Obedience

Rudy is a French Bulldog that started in my group obedience handled at first by his dad, Mark and now his mom, Linda.  He really loves to please the leader.  I was lucky enough to have him over the weekend.  The busier I keep him the more he likes it.  He works for food but is easily stimulated by vocal praise as we work.  I practice an obedience pattern but any time I want him closer I shift into a higher or more challenging gear. I do what in Rally Obedience is called a left about turn, German about turn or a Schutzhund about turn, followed by a quick and tight left 180 or 360.   This group of moves really helps to define the pocket or the position to easily turn right or left with the handler. 

Tuesday Group Obedience Class

     This is a video of my Tuesday evening obedience group. If we have visitors we make sure to take advantage and have the dogs and handlers practice meet and greet with them. We usually start by walking around the room working on obedience exercises as a class.  The room is divided into four squares and as the dogs settle in we eventually work around two then one square.  Perhaps a dog will sit or down in the middle and the rest of the class will circle around and when we stop we all get as close as possible to the dog in the middle.  Sometimes there may be bowls of food also in the middle and maybe a vacuum cleaner or wheel chair or me making some kind of noise or distraction in the middle.  
     We began using the whole room and eventually worked tighter and closer weaving each other and figure eights, etc.  I set up a Rally Obedience course with the exercises we have been practicing and had each handler and dog go through the course individually.  This video is at the end when I had the class members all work on the pattern at the same time.  This is more like a real life senario where everyone has a little something different going on at the same time.

Cathi O. has a Rally good APDT weekend in Omaha Saturday & Sunday 2/20 & 2/21/10

As a trainer I am very proud of what my students can accomplish. Cathi has taken Jazzy and Lefty from my basic, intermediate and advanced obedience classes into the APDT Rally Obedience sport. At the end of last year Cathi entered 2 trials and did so well she and Jazzy made it to the APDT National Rankings and brought home lots of ribbons. There are people that compete and have a hard time passing let alone winning. Cathi attributes her success to my group classes. I have even started a Rally Obedience class on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.
This weekends results:
(2/20/10-2/21/10)
Level 1- Jazzy
210/210 2nd place

204/210 1st place

205/210 1st place

209/210 1st place

Level 2- Jazzy
201/210 2nd place

196/210 1st place

193/210 2nd place


Level 1- Lefty

190/210

203/210 2nd place

195/200 4th place

200/210 3rd place
Not bad for Cathi's Box-Cat rescue that started out with all types of baggage. Poorly socialized and afraid of men. I always feel best helping the dogs that came with the most baggage.









Also congratulations to Cathi and Jazzy who also earned a CD-H from St. Hubert's CDSP

* ARCHX Jazzy, CD-H, RL2X(AOE),RL1X(AOE), CGC *

The bottom line is that it is fun to win ribbons and trophies but it is more important that your dog will listen to you. Your dog should come when they are called and walk without pulling. Being a responsible dog owner includes the time teaching them its your world and they are in it. They should greet friends the way you guide them to. When I see a dog act poorly I watch to see what the handler does to prevent or deal with it. Time, patience and calm repetitions is key to having the partner you want to spend life with. I know not everyone has the timing, patience or coordination to train a dog. That's why I offer Board and Train. I build the car and when you pick up I teach you how to drive. If you practice your dog will listen to you too. Cathi also takes some private lessons. Competition is fun but not for everyone. People are responsible for teaching some important basics and then using those techniques to control their dog.

Here comes Cathi & Jazzy & Lefty

Jazzy, RL1X (AOE), CGC, is a four year old Shih Poo who adores every person she meets. For most, the feeling is mutual. She began attending Allan’s Intermediate classes a few years ago and they were so much fun that she kept dragging her mom, Cathi, back for more. Under Allan’s guidance, she perfected the skills needed to earn her Canine Good Citizen title.

Jazzy really enjoys her classes because Allan’s creativity makes them fun for the dogs. Cathi enjoys them too because Allan’s sense of humor makes them fun for the handlers. The classes are an opportunity to witness Allan’s talent for working with all different types of doggy personalities and developing well behaved companions. Still, Jazzy wanted to know, “What’s next?” The answer: APDT Rally Obedience! Allan helped Cathi teach Jazzy all the right moves. In her first competition, Jazzy received her Level One title, earning second place her very first time in the ring. She also received APDT’s Award of Excellence for scoring 190 or better in her first three runs. After only two trials, she earned a place on the 2009 APDT National Rankings. In her third trial, this talented canine was awarded her Level One championship and received two perfect scores of 210. In her short career, Jazzy has been awarded five First Place ribbons and multiple other placements. Once again, the clever All American wanted to know, “What’s next?” That’s easy! Her wonderful trainer will work with her mom to teach her all she needs to know for Level Two and, eventually, Level Three. For this little cutie, the sky’s the limit!

-------------------------------------------------------------

You’ve hear the expression, “Rally to the Rescue”? This is a case of The Rescue to Rally. Lefty, RL1X (AOE), CGC is a four year old Australian Cattle Dog/Boxer mix once so terrified of humans that he would lose control of bodily functions if anyone paid attention to him. He spent most of his time cowering in his crate or under the nearest table. How does a dog like this survive in a world filled with humans? The answer is training! His mom, Cathi, had been taking Allan’s classes with her other dog, Jazzy, for quite some time. After adopting Lefty, she knew Allan could advise her on the proper training techniques for this – or any – type of dog. Lefty still has a long road to travel, but he’s doing it with a lot less baggage these days. Although still shy, Lefty has gained enough confidence to begin competing in APDT Rally Obedience. In his first competition, he earned his Level One title in three out of three runs. His scores were respectable enough to earn the Award of Excellence. In ten out of ten tries, Lefty was awarded his Level One championship. He’s even earned a few placement ribbons and scores as high as 208 and 206 out of a possible 210. A successful Rally career lies ahead for LEFTY...and that couldn't’t be more RIGHTY.

Rally•URO1 Sciroco's Freya vom Viersen CGC TT

Congratulations to Kathi and URO1 Sciroco's Freya vom Viersen CGC TT on their first experience in APDT Rally competition. In Schiller Park on Sunday January 24, 2010, they qualified in both trials they entered. A 201 out of 210 earned a third place and a 192 earned them a fourth place. Kathi works Freya in my advanced obedience class and my rally class and has had her work with me in board and train. Keep up the good work and I'll see you in class. Also congratulations to Champion V rated Precious Gems Axle vom Viersen.

Bella• St. Bernard at 9 months in first week of board & train

Bella is a very playful St. Bernard that I had the pleasure to work with for a week in board and train. She has good food and ball drive. At first she was a little shy but soon wanted me to take her out every time she saw me. We started in the Canine College where I also hold obedience and rally classes. She caught on quickly so we were able to spend time socializing and desensitizing around our 6 plus acre facility. We practiced in the courtyard with dogs barking and being walked. We worked in the main building which is full of people working, dropping off dogs to stay in the hotel, or into grooming department. I asked Bella to "sit" or "down" and watch the cats play in the Young at Heart shelter in our lobby. Being able to practice in real life situations builds confidence in the dogs I'm working around strangers and new things and a lot of fears and aggression goes out the window as they learn manners and increase thresholds in social situations.

APDT Rally•Get ready for Cathi O.

Ribbons and trophies- she loves to earn them with her companions Jazzy CGC, RL1X(aoe) and Lefty CGC, RL1X(aoe). Jazzy is a female Shih-tzu mix and Cathi calls Lefty a Box-cat for Boxer/Cattle dog mix. He was a very shy dog that she volunteered with adopt a pet to foster. They lost a great foster home when she fell in love and decided Lefty still could benefit the most with her helping him adjust to life without being afraid.

Well last year they competed in 2 weekend trials, one in Shiller Park and one in Omaha, Nebraska. Aside from being titled in their first weekend of competition with high scores. Jazzy even took second place (even though competing with dogs in level 2 and level 3 rally) they were also listed in the National APDT Rally rankings for last year.

This year she has started off in Lafayette, Indiana and already gotten more points with Jazzy than she had earned last year. Go Cathi !!!!!!!!! There were 6 trials on Jan. 9&10, 2010

Trial 1: 209 2nd place

Trial 2: 210 3rd

Trial 3: 205 1st

Trial 4: 209 1st

Trial 5: 210 2nd

Trial 6: 208 1st

Lefty successfully passed 6 trials and took a 3rd and 4th place for the team! Cathi works in my intermediate/advanced classes on Tuesday @ 7pm and Saturday @10am and in the Rally Class @11am. I invite everyone and their family to come and view the class, without their dogs, of course.

Beckham • Miniture Schnauzer 7 months

Beckham is a delightful 7 month miniature Schnauzer. I had him for a week of board and train. At first he had issues with socialization and quite a few areas he was afraid to walk. We started by bonding while working on foundation obedience. Luckily he has great food drive which helped to distract him in worrisome situations. When dogs look at me and take food I find they are in a calm state and can absorb stimulation without wanting to avoid or go to flight. Initially he had issues with heaters, shadows, fans, almost anything new. The more we worked the more easily he was able to keep moving. By practicing the things that were new became old and I watched him go from being shy to quite the opposite. It is easier to calm him down now that he is moving forward. Some people think when their dog does not come that they are being disobedient but if you look at the bigger picture you might be standing next to something they are afraid to be near. I've seen where dogs will not come in after going potty if the dominant dog is inside first. Or the opposite when a dog will not potty outside because the dominant dog owns the yard. I do not see being submissive or shy as happy and it is our job to help a dog get over issues allowing for a happy and less fearful life. I think there are more bites by shy dogs that feel cornered than by aggressive dogs. By helping to socialize we can keep problems from occurring. I'm happy to say Beckham's owner plans to continue in the group classes.