SacPaws.com

    I have not been a very good blogger of late - life is very full!  And we have been busy on the campaign trail.  We were at two shows in Vallejo, we've been to Alan's class in
Sacramento and spent much phone time and a class with Mary Vogler in Lodi. 

    The bottom line is that, for the moment, Spur remains a legless dog after six trials.  One friend noted I haven't been blogging much of late, and said she hopes that doesn't mean I'm discouraged.  I can't say I'm not discouraged, but I can say I am a realist and . . . forgive me . . . I am rather dogged about this.

    One fact that helps me keep it real comes from the simple act of observing what happens at the trials I attend.  In six shows, I've seen just two dogs qualify in Utility A.  Proof positive, in case I hadn't noticed, that utility is tough, indeed.

    And if I'd hoped to find solace in watching the B dogs, there is little there to warm the heart.  Of late, it seems to be fairly typical that about a third of the class entries actually achieve qualifying scores.  These are highly experienced dogs, and recognizing how many of them fail a given class is a tremendous reality check.

    There are signs of encouragement.  At the show last week, once again, Spur refused to do his goes.  But when our turn in the ring ended, Judge Rosalie Alvarez approached me with a smile and an enouraging comment.  "This is a good dog," she said of Spur.  "He's going to get there.  Don't worry about today.  Utility is hard!"

    Also on the encouraging side, my friend Christine Johnson and her Corgi, Pearl, just completed their Utility Dog title- after a full year of trials.  "We struggled for so long with a whole variety of issues in the ring," Christine told me.  "Then suddenly it all came together, and we got two legs in a row.  As if it were easy."

    It isn't easy.  It's very difficult.  There are people who make it look easy.  They do it with hours of practice, with total dedication, with a real focus on learning how to establish that rapport and communication with their dog, with an eternally upbeat perspective and never-say-die attitude.

    I admit, this is a greater challenge than I had anticipated.  What makes it all worthwhile is something more than the goal of earning a title.  It's the great rapport with my dog, with my trainer and with my companions on the campaign trail.

    We are a community and being part of that community is its own reward.

    This weekend, it's back to Vallejo for two trials.  That means a week of focus and work.

    I started with a good session with Mary Vogler on Sunday.  She warns me that I am still "helping" Spur too much.  I tend to watch him as we heel, to offer praise a little too frequently, to be too quick to haul out the Charlie Bears.

    None of those things can happen in the ring, and it's time to make my training as ring-like as possible.  While keeping it fun fun fun of course!

    Sometimes all the necessaries seem in conflict, and pulling everything together is hugely challenging.  But the frustration ends each time I pull out Spur's special training collar and he goes wild with joy.  He loves to go and train!

    Monday evening we went to Alan Miller's class, but not as participants.  Instead, we set up our own ring right alongside Alan's area, and ran through the exercises - and a few fun games! - with the challenging distraction of 20 dogs racing about just a few feet away. 

    At one point, Alan had organized a fun chase exercise and some of the class dogs were suddenly right in our faces.  "I'm sorry!" one owner called out, but Alan was just laughing.  "She wants that!" he called.  "It's why she's here!"

    Exactly right, of course, controlled chaos is the name of the game.  Alan gets it, which is one reason he's so practically helpful.

    Spur did remarkably well on everything, including the ever-challenging go outs.  I began to have a little hope that perhaps we are getting on the right track.

    Tuesday nite we took off to the park and found an ideal area to practice for the weekend's indoor shows - an unused tennis court.  The distractions weren't as intense as Alan's class offered, but they were still helpful.

    My plan is to visit a different locale each evening.  The automatic doors at Raley's, the basketball players at Folsom's Davies Park, the soccer kids at Phoenix Field - they will all be seeing us.

    Will there be a payoff this weekend?  I cannot predict.  Mary tells me this phase we're in is normal, that we are working in the right direction, and that our little team is definitely going to make the grade.  I believe in her, in Spur and in myself. 

    I think!

    The original plan for Memorial Day was straightforward.  Go to Hangtown Kennel Obedience Trials in Placerville, and win utility legs.

    Alas, it didn't work out that way.  Based on the debacle at the Coyote Club Trials, our trainer recommended - no wait, she urged us to pull our entry - and focus on the next set of trials.

    That means we'll be back in Vallejo on June 7 and 8, giving it a whirl at those indoor trials.

    In the meantime, we're trying to figure out what the problems are, and be as solid as we can.

    The problems, trainer Mary Vogler assures me, are nothing out of the ordinary.  Dogs are situational she continuously reminds me.  That is Point 1.  Spur does a great job in our yard, in the park, in the class at Alan's or the Lodi training facility we visit.

    Those are all places known to him, and comfortable. 

    Mary' has been to take him to as many different places as possible. 

    That's a bit of a challenge when it means finding a new spot to set up a ring, or at least run around a bit.  But we're doing our best.  We've practiced heeling and signals outside the automatic doors at Raley's and in the cookie aisles at PetSmart.

    We practiced go outs and directed retrieves at a Folsom park that is tucked away behind the Rotary club. 

    We set up our ring in Fair Oaks' Phoenix Field, and did the whole utility routine without a cookie in sight until the entire series of exercises was complete.

    And in doing all this, I learned that Spur, indeed is not "solid". 

    Which brings me to Point 2, the all important concept of Training With a True Eye.  My true eye tells me what my heart doesn't want to see.  Spur may look away at a key moment and miss a signal.  He may be uncertain on the go out.  He is sometimes over excited and brings back the first article he encounters, rather than the one that has been scented.

    Nonetheless, in early June we'll give it a whirl again.  And then we'll take a break to reassess and rebuild our mutual confidence and certainty.

    So far, the challenge remains far more fun than frustrating.  Training is therapy for me, and Spur loves to go and do and demonstrate his understanding of all my wishes.

    We are a team with noteworthy strengths, and weaknesses we can conquer together.  And the campaign trail still feels like the right place to be.

    On Saturday, I set out for the Coyote Kennel Club Trials with much trepidation.  The weather was hot, and Spur does not like hot.  I could foresee disaster.  But it's my nature to fight pessimism, and so I set out hoping for the best.

    And when we arrived, my hopes rose.  The show grounds - Solano County Fairgrounds - were shady.  There was a lovely breeze.  The obedience ring was set amidst the trees.  Everything seemed perfect.
   
    But appearances are deceiving. 

    We wandered about to accustom Spur to the surroundings and it was clear they did not suit him.  He did not care to practice heeling.  He preferred not to respond to signals.  It was only with much cajoling that he deigned to practice a few go outs at one of the conformation rings. 

    Uh oh.

    To keep the story brief, our sojourn in the ring was fairly disastrous.  We failed every exercise except the moving stand.

    Spur heeled acceptably, but preferred not to acknowledge any of the signals I administered.  He retrieved the correct articles, but did not wait for me to actually send him to the pile.  He stared directly at the correct glove, then ran out to a different one.  As for the goes . . . let's just say he didn't.

    Afterwards, I had a long conversation with my trainer, Mary Vogler. She urged me to scratch him from the Hangtown Trials Memorial Day weekend.  Hey - sixty bucks down the tube?  When I down he can do it?

    I was resistant to her recommendations . . . . but 24 hours later I finally accepted the fact that she is right.  I have a dog who does all the utility exercises beautifully . . . . in a familiar setting.
Alas, not too many trials are held in my backyard or neighborhood park.

    And so, on the Tuesday following the disastrous Saturday, Mary and I talked again and made a plan.  I will spend Memorial Day weekend playing a bit more golf than I had intended.  Practicing with Spur.  And getting ready for another set of trials in early June.

    There is no rush.  There are things I must do to help build his confidence in new places.  We'll get there. 

    More on how we plan to do it . . . next time.

    This weekend was a challenging reality check. 

    First a Saturday workshop in Vacaville, at which Spur decided that he had forgotten all the exercises we've been so painstakingly learning.  He did the go out, but only with prolonged sniffing at the far gate, and a refusal to sit.

    He stared at me in confusion when I gave him a down signal.

    He ran out to the article pile and brought back whichever one he first reached.

    All in all, it was a monumental mess-up, and one which prompted suggestions, tips and guidance from people who definitely know what they're doing.   Still - some of those ideas reflect a different training method and approach than I've been using.

    I was advised not to put treats out for the go out, and not to follow him out for a reward on the sit.  This represents a fairly drastic change for him.  As I experimented with some of these ideas, I felt Spur begin to shut down.   And so we headed home.  While he snored in his crate, I agonized over what to do.

    In our own yard, we practiced the goes as we've been doing them.  Treats at the far gate intermittently, a treat for every good turn and sit.

    Sunday morning I was back on the road, this time to Lodi for a private session with my long-time trainer, Mary Vogler.  I arrived, leapt out of the car, and poured out my concerns.

    Thank goodness for Mary.  She reminded me that she and I are on a path with Spur.  He is four - still young for utility - and he is green.  She is convinced our training plan is working, and I am confident she is correct.

    I set up my jumps and gates in a field that is unfamiliar to Spur, and we began to put him through some paces.  These included sending him to a post spread with cheese and commanding him to sit before finishing the treat.  The idea being to cure the sniffing problem.

    I don't expect miracles, but I'm feeling better about our progress.  Our April failures served as an object lesson.  To know if we are ready, we must keep trying. 

    I have a plan and a strategy for that, and it begins next Saturday with the Coyote Kennel Club Trials in Vallejo.   We will go for one day, to take the temperature, and clarify what needs work.

    I plan to take my gate to the grounds for an on-site warm-up.  I plan to arrive early, so Spur is as utterly comfortable on the grounds as possible.  And I plan to get out for training as much as possible this week.

    This campaign, as Mary reminds me, is a journey.  The point is to make every step a step forward - even those steps which do not appear to be fully successful.

    I'm on board with that.  And I'm looking forward to that time when Spur is right there, fully with us as well.

   

   

    My favorite image on this web site is the time-lapse video of three gordon setters sleeping with their owners.  Hey - who owns this bed anway?  And how could these people possibly be getting any rest?

    I only know that a night without my dogs on the bed is a lonely night, indeed, but I'm talking about smaller creatures here.

    Most reputable dog training books advise pet owners not to allow their pets to sleep with them on the bed.  It's too empowering for the dogs.  It leads them to believe they're actually in charge of the household.  It can create other behavioral issues.  It may not be utterly hygienic.

    But what loving owner cares about any of that? 

    I keep my bed covered with a flannel sheet that can be washed, well, anytime I happen to remember to do so.  I lay a special fuzzy blanket up the middle of the bed, so the pets can spread out in between my husband and myself.

    At least, that's where we start.  But in the night they do have a tendency to migrate.  Spur likes to get under the covers, next to me, as soon as possible.  Axel curls up next to Don, or sometimes on my right - never my left - side.

    Petra likes to force Spur further down into the bed so she can sleep on my left - never my right - side.

    For a while I thought I was developing bursitis in my shoulders.  Then I realized it was caused by hours of sleeping on my back, each arm curled into a big "C" shape, with a dog cuddled on each side.  I fixed that by learning to sleep with my arms straight.  The dogs can rest their heads on my shoulders if they wish.

    This sounds as if I am spoiling them so terribly.  But I am the one who is spoiled.

    Life is full of stress.  I'm an entrepreneur dealing with a challenging economic environment.  I provide services to clients and I am anxious about the quality of the results I achieve.  I'm in the midst of wearying business negotiations.  I'm constantly looking for more time to train, to golf, to enjoy time with my husband.  I'm usually on a diet.

    There are times when these and other matters weigh on me significantly.  In the night, even small issues loom large and tension keeps me awake.

    In those moments, there is a perfect solution - reach for a schnauzer.  Cuddle up and pet.  Listen to them gently snoring.  There is no more soothing sound.

    Life can be either grand or challenging, but there is always something to worry about.  My three dog nights are a soothing solution indeed.

    Some days it is just flat tough to get out and train.

    I do have a life apart from dog training.  In that life, I own a small business, go to a lot of night meetings, play a little golf, spend some time with friends.  Or occasionally, when I get home from a long day, I just feel like crashing on the couch.

    The problem is Spur.  He greets me with a toy.  "At the very least let's play some tug!" he seems to say.  And he is off and running, frenetically squeaking his new plush coyote critter, or dropping the tug toy enticingly at my feet.  Irresistible.

    Then there is the reality of the thing we want to do - to win recognition and titles.  We have to train if we want to achieve that.

    Years ago I ran a marathon.  That experience taught me that I can do almost anything - within reason of course! - if I am only willing to do what it takes to get there.  For me, the marathon meant months of long daily runs, and a 10 or 15 miler once a week or so.

    Training Spur is far less rigorous, but it does have challenges.  I must keep it fun and fresh for him.  The minute our practice becomes rote or repetitious, I am done for.  He will quickly realize that the dogs in the next ring, or the spectators, or the casual passersby, are all far more interesting than his boring mistress. 

    So I watch the calendar and try to make sure we get out to a location away from home at least four times a week.  At home we practice the little things.  It's easy to practice fronts or get-backs or a back rotation for glove three right in my own living room.

    And the fact is, once I get into it, training is fun.  In trying to make it happy for Spur, I wind up making it happy for myself.  It's long been said that even faking a smile soon makes you feel truly smiley inside.  I am living proof the old adage is true.

    However reluctantly or crankily I started out, I always end up feeling . . . well, just great.

    Many of the people I'll eventually be competing with live full time in the dog world.  They are judges, trainers, vets, vet techs, or reitrees who love dogs.  They have a universe of time that isn't available to me.

    But I still think we can get in the game . . . . as long as we do what we must.  And so . . .  off to the park!

   

    I'm calling this "Part I" because it's dawned on me there will be many more Parts to come . . .

    Moments after posting my earlier blog on lessons learned at the Rusch Park match, Spur and I went out to practice a few things.

    As is always the case in training, there were a few rocky moments.  Spur didn't respond to a hand signal to heel.  He didn't rush to the article pile on my first command.  He looked at me with curiousity when I asked him to "get back". 

    It occurred to me that each of these things also happened in the ring at the match.  Yet, when I wrote about the match, I noted none of them.  I had - conveniently forgotten?

    This is a key problem with dog training.  In my case, at least, I am so thrilled with success that I tend to forget certain minor non-successes.  And then, when we get to the ring, am so surprised when all does not go quite perfectly.

    If we are to reach the goals I have in mind, I must learn to be more observant, more honest with my dog and with myself.  I must train with a true eye to what is happening.

    It sounds so easy.  And yet it simply isn't.  I had honestly intended to note the key errors in my earlier blog.  I fully thought I had done so.  And so, it struck me mightily when, minutes later, I realized that no such thing had happened.

    How do I get this true eye?  A matter of training myself to what may be some painful truths, I expect. 

    Enjoying training and the thrill of seeing Spur perform is hugely rewarding.   But the acknowledgment that those accomplishments are real comes through earning titles in a fully objective setting.  That would be the obedience trials which now loom on my calendar.

    I've been thinking about all the work I must do with Spur.  I'm now more aware of the work I must do myself.

    If we're to do the things I'm hoping for, I need to cultivate a true and honest eye.  It's a challenge I may not have been fully ready for at an earlier time.  I am now.  For myself, and for Spur.

    Saturday, Rusch Park, a few hundred dogs and their owners out for a morning of practice and preparation.  We were there for obedience, conformation, rally, Canine Good Citizen, you name it. 

    The event is put on every year by the Doberman Pinscher Club of Sacramento, and they do a very fine job.  Lots of rings, knowledgeable match judges, good organization.  All that and a gorgeous day to boot.  Spur and I were ready for bear!

    Or something like that.

    After the April show mishaps, I am ready to get into some fine tuning. 

    With that in mind, I carted a babygate along, and set it up in front of some understanding friends.  The idea was to have Spur do go outs, running directly at a group of seated folks and their dogs.  He did it nicely - once he realized a cookie was hidden there.

    So the go outs remain an issue.  Spur will do them beautifully in a familiar setting.  Read:  a setting in which he knows a cookie is likely to be had.  My job is to build his confidence that no matter what the setting, when I point in a direction, and then tell him to "Go!" - he is very likely heading to a wonderful reward.

    This must be possible.  After all, week after week, I buy a Lotto ticket in hopes of hitting a big, or even a not-so-big win.  I've done it for years.  Hope springs eternal.

    In Spur's case, the vast majority of times, the cookie actually is there.  Hooray!  I know he is an optimist.  He is always hopeful that I am about to hand a cookie over.  The complication with the goes is that he must run away from me to get it.  At this point, for him, seeing is believing.   Getting beyond that is the challenge.

    Alas, it is not the only one.  We did an in-ring utility run-through twice, and both times he blew the second article.  In each case, he got the first article nicely, then ran out and grabbed any article at all on the second effort.  Hmmmmm.  My trainer, Mary Vogler, thinks this may be a symptom of basic stress.  Experience in the ring is the eventual cure for that.  In the meantime, I must do all I can to build his confidence.

    Finally, for whatever reason, although he is usually solid on the group exercises, on this day he chose to go down on the sit.  Rats.  This must be nipped in the bud, before it grows into a significant issue.  On Saturday, I had him do a long sit while the other dogs did their downs - he seemed to get the message.

    As did I.  The message being, our work is still cut out for us.  Spur knows all the exercises.  He has enthusiasm and drive.  But I can't fool myself.  He is far from solid.

    I recently got wind that a good friend's dog just earned his UD - after about 20 tries.  My friend is far more experienced than I, and dog training is her occupation.  The complexities and challenges involved in earning a Utility Dog title are pretty daunting.

    That is why some people call it a "Futility Dog" title. 

    Our next date in the trial ring will be May 17.  We have a lot to work on! 

    Each spring, the AKC Gazette publishes the results of all the previous year's competitions.  Championships, Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Rally, Field Trial, Hunt Test, Earthdog, Lure Coursing and other titles completed in 2007 are all found here, organized by group and breed.  Learn more about these activities by visiting the AKC web site.

    The information is most instructive. 

    First, it's clear that if you like dogs, and you like competition, or at least, active involvement, there is no shortage of opportunities to get involved in something fun.

    Secondly, it's plain to see, if you're interested in competing in obedience, a Miniature Schnauzer just might not be your very first dog of choice.

    It isn't that these schnauzies aren't smart or aren't obedient, because they are both.  It has more to do with the nature of the exercises.  How long does it take, for instance, to teach a Golden Retriever to retrieve?  Yes, yes, I know there are many nuances, and it can take a long time for even a Golden to get everything just perfectly. 

    But a Schnauzer?  It took me about six months to teach Petra to retrieve properly (yes, she and I were both very green).  But I remember that wonderful feeling of success very clearly.  Knowing I could teach her to retrieve left me feeling I could surely teach her anything - well, OK, that might have been an overabundance of optimism - in any case, I was hooked on obedience.

    There is no doubt that the Obedience exercises are more compatible with the natural inclinations of certain breeds.  That may explain why, in 2007, 31 Golden Retrievers earned the top title of Obedience Trial Champion.  They were closely followed by 20 Border Collies.

    And after that, there is a massive drop-off. 

    No French Bulldogs, no Afghan Hounds, no Neapolitan Mastiffs, and no German Pinschers made it to the top ranks.  In fact, those last two earned no obedience titles at any level. 

    It's a clue, people.  Dogs are different, and different dogs are good at different things.  Some dogs, like Border Collies and Dalmatians, really really need a job.  Some, perhaps the Bichon, are at their very best when providing love.

    In 2007, exactly two Miniature Schnauzers earned the top obedience title, but across the country some 58 earned obedience titles of some sort.  One of those would have been Spur, who earned a Companion Dog Excellent title in 2007.

    So we are not too far off the mark.  Spur seems to love the competition.  He seems happy in the ring.  And he adores going to the park for training.

    One day we'll be out there competing with the Goldens and all those others.  I think he's got it in him. 

    The AKC stats also include a list of the Top 25 obedience dogs by lifetime points.  Only six breeds are represented - Goldens, Shelties, Poodles, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and one lone Dobie.

    The list of the Top 25 for 2007 is similar.  It includes local handler Laurie Sasaki - a reader of this blog! - who ranks 5th nationally with her Australian Shepherd, Snip.  There is other inspiration as well.  A Collie, and, my goodness, a Keeshonden.

    So the unusual does happen.  If we work at it, maybe it could happen to us.  As long as we're also having fun, that's the sort of possibility that will keep us going.