Chesnee is Officially A Community Canine!

Well, some more good news we have! Chesnee is hot on her journey for success not only on the agility field, but also on her therapy journey at Lucky Dog Company! Last night she was invited to be a decoy dog for the Community Canine test. Since we were there we ended up taking it too. She came out with her CGCA! Congrats Chesnee!

We went into 2016 with a lot of ups and downs in training and in business. We are exiting 2016 with a clear training plan and some great new relationships built in the dog world. Next up.....Settler! Oh...and you can start your therapy journey too! Just contact Mary Baker at Lucky Dog Company!

Weekend Reflection

Over the past few months I've had the opportunity to not only focus on Walker Ranch, but also in seeking out and bringing back the joy and passion in working with and training my own dogs (which can sometimes be very difficult). At the beginning of 2016 I was to merge my home-based dog-sitting business with an existing commercial space (another business). It took a lot of time and energy out of me trying to figure out the right thing to do for not only myself, but also my clients. At the same time, I had been exhausting myself trying to work my own dogs...without a purpose. I had no idea why I was training them or what goals I had. We were participating in different types of obedience classes and also agility. However, I was never really getting anywhere (and had no idea even where I wanted to go).

I have had to dig deep and question myself how I could utilize my dogs as a platform to give back; or even a way to just bring a smile and joy to people's lives (including bringing that back in my own). That is when I decided to pursue a therapy journey with Settler, my young Dalmatian. It did not take me long to realize my older dog Chesnee would also be a tremendous fit for therapy work. And so began our therapy journey at Lucky Dog Company - it was a new beginning for us. A much needed fresh start.

At the same time I also enjoyed agility. Agility was the confidence building activity I started Chesnee in to help with her fearful behavior and also her separation anxiety. However, I never was able to find great success or confidence in the sport. I practiced with no intention of competing. Then, when I decided to give trials a go, I stepped into the ring untrusting, nervous, and with a huge lack of confidence. I had run Chesnee "for fun" but generally ended up with the same result. I was super anxious and my dog was stressed out. I stepped into the ring and always tried to leave my dog at the start line trying to make her think I had some type of motivator still on me. This weekend was different.

This was the first weekend I have walked away feeling good. Feeling restored and refreshed. Over the past few months I changed my training regimen. And although I sometimes felt like I was forcing myself to enjoy agility, I just wanted to prove that I knew Chesnee could run. Mostly to myself and mostly to help fight through an emotional past few years that made me feel I had made the wrong choices with her. I am thankful that Sun Coast Agility (where the trial was hosted) gave me a chance and took me on as their student. While I realized my foundations in agility were not very good, I realized my handling and knowledge may be even worse (and my confidence). I not only had to re-train certain skills, but I needed to change my mindset. I was full regret and resentment of the past. I was frustrated and felt I had wasted time.

Running Chesnee was a new experience. When I stepped to the line I felt a bond. I felt I trusted her. I felt I knew she would run with me. I did not need to try to pretend to her that I had food on me just so she would run with me. I felt more confident in my handling (even though there is still so much work to do). I felt my information to her was more clear. It felt good.

I also had the opportunity to run my young Dalmatian Settler. I am working on many things that take precedent over agility, but I was able to successfully step into the ring with a game plan. I feel clear on where we were at and what we need to do. 

So I guess what I am trying to say is....this weekend felt like a turning point for me. It felt like a change of pace and it felt like I am finally able to start bringing the joy and passion back into training. Chesnee went three for four this weekend. Her three runs she qualified for she took first place. Her final run I had some handling errors. We still corrected mistakes and finished the course!     

More Than Just a CGC

Last night marked a lot more than just the accomplishment of our Canine Good Citizen certification. 

I was able to reflect back on my journey with this little rescue dog that came into my life in 2009. Originally "Rosie" and renamed Chesnee, she was the first dog I have owned by myself. She was a rescue from the Naples Humane Society that was transferred from LaBelle. I was told she had a litter of puppies, and was a stray. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I adopted her. 

She had severe separation anxiety and was extremely fearful of men. I was very concerned she may bite, so I immediately took her to a training facility to get some advice. She also had the inability to be crated as she would give herself bloody noses and chew the wiring. But, leaving her out she would destroy things and I had no idea if she was house trained, or what she would or would not get into. I enrolled her in agility for fun as a confidence building activity.

Fast forwarding time a bit, she had liver failure and I was told she was not going to make it. Fortunately she did survive. Unfortunately she then tested positive for heartworm even though she had been taking heartworm every 30 days. Supposedly I adopted her with it and it takes a while to show up. 

Luckily she has been successfully battling all of her health and temperament challenges. Here she is today - a loving and wonderful companion. She will be a wonderful therapy dog. I look forward to continuing her therapy journey. #ontothenext #cgc #luckydog #luckydogco 

Good Days & Bad Days

I had to take a slight break from agility with Settler since he decided to attempt to catch a rabbit in the pitch black the other evening. He ended up hitting a fence and I could tell his back left leg was not 100%. 

Last night was Settler's 3/4 Community Canine Class at Lucky Dog Company in Naples. While he typically is able to complete skills successfully, he can sometimes struggle working in the presence of other dogs. Last night....was not our night. Settler struggled at the movement and excitement of other dogs, especially dogs he felt were gravitating too closely to his "area." It was a rather stressful and discouraging evening as class went on, but today is a new day. This is definitely, without a doubt, the number one area I want to focus on with him. 

I started our morning with working some "relax" since Settler is almost always "on." I have also been keeping the toys out of reach since he ALWAYS decides to try to begin some type of training session if something is available for use. He did well on his cot even though he shifts his hips frequently to make sure I notice he is in position. 

Building Confidence

We are continuing to get back on track and lately I have been wanting to focus on a few specific areas with Settler: 1) agility weaves 2) loose leash walking 3) reactivity to other dogs/stress levels in new places. 

I cannot wait to get started back up with structured agility classes. We have been working six weave poles and today I started to add the remaining six. I was using a tennis ball as a reward (the highest reward for Settler), and he was too "high" to focus on each pole when the last six were added. I will try again tomorrow perhaps using a tug toy or food to see how it changes the result. I then need to add some movement from myself so he stays focused even with me running past him. I am pretty happy with him and cannot wait to see how he has improved since last being out on the course. 

Our loose leash experience has been frustrating because 1) I have not done enough practice 2) we need to work in the presence of new smells, areas, and distractions. I can only blame myself for this and certainly look forward to some more controlled walks in the future. Practice, practice, practice. 

Lastly, I made some errors during Settler's puppyhood which have caused some reactivity challenges - especially in the presence of a barrier or restriction. Therefore, it is a necessity to work him around other dogs and keep both his and my stress levels under control. It is always a primary goal to make it through any session without any reactive behaviors regardless of the class or session. I am also tossing around participating in an online Denise Fenzi course (I love her!) regarding managing techniques on reactivity. It is always nice to get multiple opinions and new ideas and techniques. 

Settler waiting for his turn during a "leave it" exercise walking past food on the ground. 

I also do not forget to have fun with my dogs and still let them be dogs. I took some time to interact with the horse and donkeys today and let Settler help me herd them. 

I am looking forward to continuing this very inspiring therapy journey with both Settler and Chesnee. We can learn so much from our dogs and it has been amazing appreciating both of them and how hard they work to please. 

Chesnee will be on her way to her Canine Good Citizen and I just want to get her on more public outings. I will plan to continue Chesnee on a similar therapy journey as I am with Settler. I cannot wait to serve others through use of dogs. 

Back on Track

These past couple of weeks have been very busy with dog-sitting and dog daycare. Unfortunately for my personal dogs, they sometimes take the back burner so I can appropriately accommodate my boarders and daycare dogs. 

Chesnee has finished up with her four weeks of Canine Good Citizen and it is apparent to me she needs some additional work in public and around other dogs. As soon as the CGC test is available to take through Lucky Dog Company, we will test. 

Settler has went through a few rounds of Canine Good Citizen - but will not be ready to test for a while. He (and me) needs some work in public situations as he can get very stressed in new environments. He also needs work around other dogs as the more unfamiliar and uncomfortable he is, the more reactive he can be with other dogs. We are currently participating in Community Canine, but will not be able to test until we pass the Canine Good Citizen. He is very immature and will need lots of practice on a variety of skills. 

In the upcoming weeks I am hoping to individually walk both Settler and Chesnee to get them in new environments and practice with them in social settings. Chesnee is a great loose leash walker but Settler unfortunately is very strong and will pull when he catches a scent. I have been trying to avoid walking in the gentle leader since they cannot test with it. For him in particular it seems to be more of a nuisance than it does a help. 

I am hoping to get back on track this upcoming week (although the weather has been so hot and gloomy) in order to keep things moving and see some progress. I am also looking forward to agility starting back up again as well. 

Family Time

This past week my sister's family stayed in town at Walker Ranch. My sister and her husband have a 14 month old and a three year old (absolutely wonderful children!). This was a great test for both Chesnee and Settler to see how they would react to little people running around. I knew Settler's love for children - but I was not sure how well he would be able to contain himself in the presence of constant movement. 

To my surprise, both dogs were awesome. Settler was responding to cues given by the three year old and he interacted very well with both children (lots of kisses!). Chesnee, to my surprise, also did very well considering she is not really a "kid dog." My sister's three year old adores her and I was happy to see them getting along so well (and in fact Chesnee CHOOSING to be near her and ask to get pet). On the last evening when Chesnee was trying to sleep and the three year old tried to crowd her space was the only time I heard Chesnee give a warning growl that she did not appreciate that. I nicely explained to Savannah that Chesnee was tired and was just letting her know what she was doing was making her uncomfortable. 

Beyond having family time Settler and Chesnee also made it to their classes this past week. Settler participated in a public outing and Chesnee participated in her second Canine Good Citizen class. Settler was very distracted in a new environment so I opted to use his gentle leader to avoid constant pulling, stopping, or changing direction. He did have some reaction to other dogs so I will need to work on my response as well as catching it before it happens. 

Chesnee did very well in her Canine Good Citizen class and I am happy with her progression.

Tomorrow Settler will participate in another public outing and we will also get back on agility training. We have lots of work to do. 

It's Already July

Hoping everyone had a great Fourth! 

We took the last few days "off" since Settler was digging in the yard and ended up ripping the side of his paw pad. While he is limping around and taking it easy, Chesnee is taking the front seat and will prepare for her first Canine Good Citizen class tomorrow evening. It will be the beginning of her therapy journey! I am interested to see how she does since I have not set her criteria quite as high as Settler's when it comes to basic movements such as a down, or waiting to be pet. 

Once Settler's foot gets better we will take this month to focus more on public outings while Chesnee stays in a class setting. Tomorrow will be a good indication of where Chesnee is at and what she needs to work on in order to continue her journey. I look forward to a great class...and this time with a totally different dog!