The Herding Group

BREED MATTERS

Every dog has a distinct personality based on its breed, there is individual personalities within each litter; however general behavior to expect can be determined by choosing a breed that's profile fits best with your family and lifestyle. A reputable breeder is going to help match their puppies to the best home possible, and should be willing to turn someone away (giving them a referral to another breeder if possible) if they aren't confident that they have the right canine partner for someone. There is over 150 AKC recognized breeds , so there is definitely a dog out there for you! This post will focus on the Herding Group.

Some questions to ask yourself :

What do I want my dog to "do" in my life? be mostly a companion? a guard dog? good with kids? a running partner?compete in obedience or other dog sports? become a therapy dog? 

Does my new dog need to get along with other dogs, cats , or share the home with other pets ?

How much time and energy do I have to commit to grooming and exercise needs? Will I be likely to keep and care for this animal for the next several years ?

Can I afford vet expenses, feed, supplies and other costs?

Am I going to be moving soon and possibly have to find a new home for this dog or prepared to possibly  have my search for a new house complicated by needing to find a place to live that will allow a pet? 

Do I want a puppy or an older dog? (think about teething, housebreaking, training)

The Herding Group  breeds share the  ability to control the movement of other animals. A remarkable example is the low-set Corgi, perhaps one foot tall at the shoulders, that can drive a herd of cows many times its size to pasture by leaping and nipping at their heels. The vast majority of Herding dogs, as household pets, never cross paths with a farm animal. Nevertheless, pure instinct prompts many of these dogs to gently herd their owners, especially the children of the family. In general, these intelligent dogs make excellent companions and respond beautifully to training exercises.               Please note that these photos are not to scale.

• Australian Cattle Dog
 
• Australian Shepherd
 
• Bearded Collie
 
• Beauceron
• Belgian Malinois
 
• Belgian Sheepdog
 
• Belgian Tervuren
 
• Border Collie
• Bouvier des Flandres
 
• Briard
 
• Canaan Dog
 
• Cardigan
  Welsh Corgi
• Collie
 
• Entlebucher
  Mountain Dog
 
• Finnish Lapphund
 
• German
  Shepherd Dog
• Icelandic
  Sheepdog
 
• Norwegian Buhund
 
• Old English
  Sheepdog
 
• Pembroke
  Welsh Corgi
• Polish Lowland
  Sheepdog
 
• Puli
 
• Pyrenean Shepherd
 
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Swedish Vallhund

What is Rally ?

AKC Rally is the new dog sport that is taking the nation by storm! 

For many enthusiasts, it is a stepping stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen® program to the world of obedience or agility. Rally offers both the dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing.

Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed.  The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all conditions.

  Rally was designed with the traditional pet 

owner in mind, but it can still be  challenging for those who enjoy higher 

levels of competition.Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication 

from the handler to the dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not 

required, but there should be a sense of teamwork and enthusiasm as they go 

through the course.

The team of dog and handler moves continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog under control at the handler's left side. Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. Unless otherwise specified in the Rally Regulations, handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs, or use any verbal means of encouragement. Multiple commands and/or signals using one or both arms and hands are allowed; the handler's arms need not be maintained in any particular position at any time. 

The handler may not touch the dog or make physical corrections. At any time during the performance, loud or harsh commands or intimidating signals will be penalized.

Rally Signs

The signs may be any color and they include descriptions as well as directional arrows of exercises. Signs are numbered to make it easy to find the next station when navigating the course.

All signs are placed to the handler's right side. The signs are large enough to be easily recognized when going through a course. 

The exercises designated on the signs will be performed in close proximity to the sign itself, either in front, back of, or beside the sign.

The judge must arrive one hour before judging in order to set up the course for the class. Judges are open to questions that the handlers may have regarding the course during the walk-through period.They must post a copy of the course at ringside so that the exhibitors know what to expect and where to go once they are in the ring. The judge must evaluate the performance of each exercise and the sense of teamwork between the dog and handler between the stations as stated in the AKC Rally Regulations.

The orders "Are you ready?" and "Forward" are given to each handler who enters the ring.

Levels of Competition

The three levels of competition in AKC Rally:

Novice – this is the first level for those just getting started in competition.
• All exercises are performed with the dog on leash.
• There is a requirement of 10-15 stations to complete with no more than five stationary exercises.
• The exercises performed vary from turning 360 degrees to changing paces during the course.
• Exhibitors at this level may clap their hands and pat their legs through the course.
Advanced – this is the second level, which includes more difficult exercises throughout the course.
• All exercises are performed off-leash.
• There is a requirement of 12-17 stations with no more than seven stationary exercises.
• Exercises include a jump as well as calling your dog to the front of you instead of to a heel position.
Excellent – this third and highest level of AKC Rally is the most challenging.
• Exercises are performed off-leash except for the honor exercise.
• There is a requirement of 15-20 stations, with no more than 7 stationary exercises.
• Handlers are only allowed to encourage their dogs verbally. Physical encouragement is not allowed at this level.
• The Excellent-level exercises include backing up three steps, while the dog stays in the heel position and a moving stand, while the handler walks around the dog.

Qualifying Score

All dogs and handlers begin with a perfect 100. A dog and handler team is awarded a qualifying score if it retains at least 70 points after the course has been completed. Once the team has completed the course, their score will be posted ringside. Ribbons or rosettes are awarded in first through fourth place and for all qualifying scores. Some events will offer special awards, usually when a rally trial is in conjunction with a breed specialty show. 

Rally Titles

The dogs must earn three qualifying scores under two different judges in order to receive a rally title. The titles that can be earned are:

Rally Novice: RN
Rally Advanced: RA
Rally Excellent: RE
Rally Advanced Excellent: RAE

The requirement for the RAE title is that the dog must qualify ten times in both the Advanced B class and the Excellent B class at the same trial.

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Ok folks, here goes....I am reading up to try to learn the signs

and what to expect at my first rally competition... I have watched

rally at a couple of shows and have the opportunity to ask a good 

friend who has shown in rally lots of questions....Unfortunately I cannot go to any local

classes, because I am the teacher of our local classes! I will bring my lhasa to classes anyway

and see if we can get some practice in...wish us luck and check back in with me to see how we are doing! 

We won't be starting classes until some of this %$@#! snow melts.... I am hoping for a mid May start.

My goal is to have our lhasa "BREW" (aka Ch. Indian Hill's Beer For My Horses) ready to compete this fall for our raly Novice title....

Animal Rights VS. Animal Welfare

Know The Difference! 

What do PETA, HSUS, Humane USA,
 Fund for Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund,
In Defense of Animals, Doris Day Animal League, Farm Sanctuary,
Animal Protection Institute, SHAC, Animal Protection Institute,
Animal Liberation Front, Institute for Animals & Society, and
nearly 100 other animal rights groups have in common......

they all support animal "RIGHTS"---
 which when you dig deeper , today's animal rights
movement means abolishing people's ownership and use of any and all animals !

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Yes, all animals have a right to quality care and humane treatment by the people
that interact with them. And yes we have a responsibility to provide that care,
and sadly in some instances animal's welfare is being abused by humans.

But ...have you ever enjoyed
going to the zoo? Having a pet? Watching a movie or tv program
that featured an animal star? Have you ever witnessed the amazing partnership between a seeing eye dog and it's owner? Have you ever taken a moment to appreciate the efforts and hours of training and care that have gone into forming the animal-human team that demonstrates its skills
in search and rescue efforts, drug and bomb sniffing, police dogs, or a  shepeherd
who relies on his herding dog to help bring the flock home safely?

If today's animal rights activists have their way, your great grandchildren won't know what you are talking about !

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Animals , both domestic and wild, have been providing intellectual and economic
value to the people on this planet since the dawn of time. It is important for people
to adopt animal care practices that provide quality care to all animal's that touch
our lives ...so what exactly is the "behind the scenes" difference between animal rights and animal welfare???

Animal Welfare Promotes:

* that humans have a responsibility to care for animals and insure their well-being 
because they are not able to do so themselves

* Supports the animal - human bond and acknowledges the gift that is
given to us when we interact with animals

* Supports education to improve the awareness and well being of both domestic 
and wild animals

*Supports managing animal populations by hunting

*Provides education and supports guidelines for good animal husbandry practices

* Supports animals role in zoos, sports, shows and fairs, movies, circuses, on stage, 
and in private ownership within the guidelines of humane, responsible care

* Supports responsible pet breeding and ownership

* Supports use of animal's in research under appropriate guidelines for advancement
of technology and medicine

*Supports training and use of animals in service to police, people with disabilities and 
other therapeutic activities

On the other Paw....

Animal Rights Promotes:

* the moral and ethical philosophy that No species , including humans, is better, 
or more important than the other (a baby chicken is equal in ALL ways to a human
infant !) 

* pet ownership is a form of slavery

*humans have no right to use animals for food, research, clothing, or any form of
entertainment (that these activities exploit them)

*animals should be free to life their lives without human interference of ANY Kind

* Opposes hunting, fishing, and purposeful breeding of ANY  domestic animals including endangered species, farm apnimals, pets, and service animals

*that animals should either be "self-owned" or have the legal standing of
"personhood" giving them the same and equal rights as humans

*supports that the current legal definition of animals as property should be ended or changed 
and that humans have no rights to ownership or stewardship of any animal NO MATTER WHAT
the circumstances or level of care provide 

Plays on the sympathies of animal lovers to provide financial support and 

lobbying for laws that ultimately restrict owner's rights. Deliberately

confuses the public by using the "Animal Rights" platform to promote 

their cause !

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Protect You and Your Families' Right to Own and Enjoy Animals!

Protect Animals from the unrealistic view that they can live and care for themselves completely outside the influence of the humans they share a planet with ! 

***To help support Animal Welfare, the first step is to stop supporting Animal Rights organizations !*** 

Do not buy a dog or cat from a pet store. Do not give donations of your money or time to any of the organizations listed at the beginning of this post, and please spay/neuter your pet !


Some resources for more information include : 
your local kennel club, the AKC (www.akc.org), the
Minnesota Purebred Dog Breeders' Association (www.minnesotapurebreddogs.org), The American Dog Breeder Association ( www.adbadog.com), The Minnesota Pet Breeders Association (www.mnpetbreeder.com) or Humane Watch (www.humanewatch.org)

And Baby makes Four

Rivalry can develop when your dog and your baby meet for the first time. An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure in this situation !

  IF YOU ARE EXPECTING A 2 LEGGED CHILD TO ENTER YOUR LIFE SOON, AND YOU  DO NOT YET HAVE A 4 LEGGED CHILD, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LET THE NEW PUPPY AND BABY "GROW UP TOGETHER" --- YOU WILL BE TOO BUSY TO ATTEND THE NEEDS OF BOTH! 

Options may be to adopt an older dog that is already used to children, or wait until your baby is a little older to take on a pet...Dogs and kids belong together, but don't rush it :)  Investigate which breeds are best with children and which breeders have already socialized their pups with children to improve your outcome of a smooth transition. 

My tips for Before Baby is Born:

1. allow the dog to sniff items the baby will be using so they will be more familiar to it. Even after laundering, the dog will recognize it's own scent attached to these items and will be less likely to perceive them as a threat.

2. If your dog is not trained to basic commands like off, sit, down, leave it,  stay and heel Get Them Trained!

3. Once he/she is trained and safely restrained on a leash, introduce them to children away from his territory...then outside near the house...and finally in the house.

4. Get your dog accustomed to a baby's cry. You can do this by tape recording a friend's child or children at a daycare.

5. Handle a doll like a baby and introduce your dog to it using the word baby. Have the dog sit or lie down while near the baby doll.

When Baby Comes Home:

1. Before your dog is introduced to the baby, confine it. Let her reacquaint with the baby's mother first, who will smell and  act different to the dog. Then introduce several of the baby's items that now have "baby's" scent on them such as the carseat and diaper bag. Make sure the dog is calm, not hungry and does not need to 'go out' and then introduce the baby, remembering to use the word baby and carefully watching your dog's reaction to this new little person. Immediately separate the dog and the baby if there is a negative reaction and repeat the introductions later. Keep the first few meetings short and remain calm and upbeat, your dog is very aware of your emotions.

2. Do not let caring for your new baby interfere with the dog's regular schedule of feeding, walks, and playtime if at all possible.

3. Never leave your dog alone with the baby and do not allow it to sleep in the baby's room--although outside a gated doorway is ok if that is what your dog wants to do.

4. DO NOT store any of the dog's belongings in the baby's room. The dog needs a clear boundary between what it considers her space and where the baby's "den" is.

5. As your child grows, remember that children can hurt dogs also. Teach your child how to correctly pet the dog, not to try to carry it, not to pull on ears or it's tail, and to leave the dog alone when it is sleeping, eating or relaxing in it's crate/bed.

6. When your child is old enough,include them in caring for the dog under supervision. It is a great way to encourage that bond and an opportunity to teach respect and responsibility for the pet.

ENJOY YOUR FAMILY ! 

Has a 12-Year-Old Done More for Shelters Than the HSUS?

 The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)  recently published an online  article

 about the work of a  girl in northeast Ohio. 12 year old  Harley Helmam  has collected

 thousands of supplies such as blankets, towels, toys, and food  for her  local shelters 

through her Blankets Fur Beasties group. 

If you would like to help shelter animals in your area, Harley

 has this advice: 

"It’s simple! Just go to

 your local animal shelter’s website.

 They usually have a wish list of things that

 they need. Then start collecting!"

               That’s great advice Harley, and you've provided an excellent example for the HSUS !

I would like to add that if your budget does not include being able to donate financially to a local

 animal rescue or shelter, they would welcome donations of your valuable time !

 (handing out flyers, working at the bake sale, taking pictures of animals available for adoption,

 donating time at the shelter to help with maintenance or animal care, and more )

Only 1 penny of every dollar donated to HSUS is given to a 

local pet shelter !

 HSUS gave just $500 to support pet sheltering in the Buckeye State in 2012.

The nonprofit watchdog Charity Watch finds tha HSUS spends as much as 45% of its

annual budget on overhead, earning it a "C-" grade. Animal Peoples's Watchdog Report

pegs HSUS's overhead spending at 55% of it's budget...For a group that claims that 1 in 28

American's donate to it's organization and has a budget of well over $100 million, that adds

up to a lot of wasteful spending! 

 

Harley's  advice is a message I'd like to  pass on to all HSUS donors.  

As HSUS steps up their annual

fundraising drives with  sad pictures of dogs and cats looking up at you pleadingly, 

wouldn't it feel good to

know that your donations were actually going to help animals???

 Instead a majoruity of your contributions pay

for a slick advertising campaign and powerful lobbyists, 

not to mention  the overly paid executives of the Humane Society itself !

 Preying on peoples emotions 

and using their skillfully crafted propaganda to hide the real truth is advertising at its "best"!

The following information is from the HSUS website :

How is The HSUS affiliated with my local humane society?

Local humane societies and SPCAs are independent entities and are not run by The HSUS

 or any other national entity.

What is The HSUS' mission?

The HSUS' mission statement is "Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty." We strive to create a 

humane and sustainable world for all animals – a world that will also benefit people. We seek

 to forge a lasting and comprehensive change in human consciousness of and behavior toward all

 animals in order to prevent animal cruelty, exploitation, and neglect, and to protect wild

 habitats and the entire community of life.

 While it all "sounds good on paper" , I find their mission statement 

to be far reaching and a bit vague... and all the expensive advertising, lobbying, etc. is why so

 little of each of  donation  goes directly to help an animal. While the HSUS does help sponsor offer

 educational  programs and events like spay/nueter clinics and mobile disaster rescue help, please

 don't judge thisbook by it's carefully executed cover !

* I  need to acknowledge  www.humanewatch.org  as an excellent reference source for this post 

The 7 AKC Dog Groups

Ok, a few posts ago we reviewed how a dog goes from first in its class, to best of breed and on to the group ring in hopes of that elusive Best In Show win....here's a nifty diagram I found to help review what those 7 groups are....

Future posts will be dedicated to each group individually to introduce the specific breeds and offer some additional history and insight into their individual characteristics. 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here's an "awwww" post for the occasion :)

I Rescued a Human Today

I rescued a human today. Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them. As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one. I rescued a human today.

~Author Unknown