Dog Training

I recently went to a dog whelping and training seminar taught by Dr. Ian Dunbar. It was pretty good and I learned a lot about dog behavior. How to observe when your dog is in season, ready to mate, so on. Even more interesting was his puppy training techniques. He has a blog which I am going through right now and thought I'd share:

http://www.dogstardaily.com/

Banner Enjoying the Fall

Here is a photo of Banner. He's just enjoying the fresh air during this great Fall weather we've been having. What do you like to do with your Westie during the Fall?

Tracker Extraordinarie Sophie!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO SOPHIE, PINK/GREEN, FROM MING'S FIRST LITTER. SHE JUST WON HER TRACKING DOG EXCELLENT (TDX) TITLE YESTERDAY IN MARYLAND. WHAT AN AMAZING FEAT. SOPHIE PRACTICED FOR A YEAR. ON THE DAY OF THE RUN, SHE DREW THE SHORT STRAW - MEANING SHE WAS ASSIGNED THE HARDEST COURSE AND YET SHE STILL DID IT IN 35 MINUTES. CONGRATULATIONS TO SOPHIE AND ELSIE WHO HANDLED SOPHIE.

HERE'S SOME INFORMATION ABOUT TRACKING FROM THE WEST HIGHLAND TERRIER CLUB OF AMERICA
More on Tracking and Westies
 
 TRACKING:

Tracking is what our dogs often do when they are out for a walk. They detect the scents of various animals and people as they walk, and often they try to follow the ones that interest them. In tracking events, you train your dog to follow a scent you choose for them. Tracking is definitely a sport at which Westies can excel, because they were bred to hunt using their noses to help them find their quarry.

The AKC offers titles for the successful completion of tracks of increasing length and difficulty. There are now three titles in AKC tracking: TD (Tracking Dog), TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent), and most recently, VST (Variable Surface Tracking). If a dog gets all three titles, the initials CT (Champion Tracker) may be used before the dog's name. As of December 1996, there were 43 Westies with TD titles and 4 Westies with TDX titles.

A track in an AKC test consists of a path through the outdoors chosen and marked with flags by two judges and a tracklayer the day before the test, then walked the day of the test by the tracklayer. As the tracklayer walks, he/she leaves behind one or more personal articles from the handler (a glove, wallet or other item). The track is then aged a prescribed amount of time, and the dog and handler are brought to the start, and must follow the track to the end and find all of the articles left by the tracklayer.

Tracking is one sport where positive reinforcement is not just recommended, but required to train the dog. Because a dog's sense of smell is thousands of times better than ours, we really have no idea how a dog tracks, and if the dog decides not to track, we cannot "show" the dog how. The dogs are the experts, so we can only help them learn to enjoy it, trust them, and follow behind and marvel at their skill. Perhaps because of this, tracking is, for many people, the most engaging and fascinating of all of the dog sports.

Tracking is an excellent sport for people who enjoy the outdoors and who are in reasonably good physical condition. Tracking events are held in all but the most severe weather, so warm and waterproof clothes are a requirement. If you enjoy tracking and want to continue past your TD, however, you will find that advanced tracking work requires both you and your dog to be fit, since you may need to climb fences, ford shallow streams, and move through woods, high grass and dense cover in all types of weather, both in training and in competition.

Izzy

Here's little Izzy who is living nearby me. She is red from Audrey's recent litter. So pretty! Izzy's daddy, Jensen, won Best of Breed and Group 2 in a show this past weekend.

Izzy's caregiver, Pat, wrote: "Izzy has added so much love to our family.  She is truly a wonderful dog!"

Banner

We have a picture of Banner now. Here it is:

Isn't he sassy sticking his tongue out at us. :)

Banner and Mochi

Banner (Green) and Mochi (Natural) came to visit for some grooming this past week. I did not have a camera handy when Banner was over but was ready when Mochi came. Mochi's caregivers helped as I took pictures.


Here is Mochi.

Repost Regarding Blood Test to Detect Cancer in Dogs

Yes, we are finally there!

A simple blood test to detect cancer in dogs!!!

Hello, everyone. When we first started the National Canine Cancer Foundation and wrote our mission statement—to save dogs lives by finding cures, better treatments, and accurate, cost-effective diagnostic methods in dealing with canine cancer—it was my hope and belief that I would someday get to write to all dogs owners a letter like this. 

We all know that one of the keys to saving lives and beating cancer in our sweet pups is to find it early. Thanks to Veterinary Diagnostics Institute (VDI), it is with great pleasure that the National Canine Cancer Foundation can present to all dog owners who suspect or want to confirm cancer in their dogs, a simple blood test that will accurately detect cancer. 

This is life-changing and lifesaving news for every dog!

If there is one thing I have heard over and over again from people who have lost their dog to cancer, it is “If there was only a way to find out sooner, my dog might still be alive.” Well now there is! The blood test is called VDI TKcanine+.

We need everyone to spread the word about this blood test that will give every dog a new fighting chance of winning the battle against Cancer.

This is the fight against canine cancer that everyone can help with.

SPREAD THE WORD

For more information on the test and how it works got to http://www.wearethecure.org/blood-test-for-canine-cancer

Let’s get the word out, the VDI-TKcanine+ test is available at your vets NOW!

Gary

Also now more than ever we need your help to fund more cancer research now that we are able to detect it sooner than later.  Please donate today

Here is some key information about the blood test:

The VDI-TKcanine+  test has a 24-hour turnaround time to accommodate a quick response to ease the dog owners’ suspicions and concerns. VDI-TKcanine+ measures two separate parameters in the dog’s blood. The first parameter is an enzyme called thymidine kinase or TK for short. TK is released into the blood stream by cells that are undergoing unusually rapid cell division; a hallmark of cancer. The second parameter the test measures is a protein that detects when inflammation is present; another characteristic of most cancer types. Using these two measurements, VDI-TKcanine+ detects the presence of cancer, often in the early stages before the signs are more obvious.

VDI-TKcanine+ is a very accurate test, with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 85% when the result falls into the category of “Positive.” Should the test result fall into the category of “High Positive,” the specificity rises to 99%.

For more information go tohttp://www.wearethecure.org/blood-test-for-canine-cancer

Who's Out THERE?

Audrey and Chloe are keeping me company while I work. They like to sit on the couch and keep an eye out for that rabbit outside.

Abby (Purple) Plays at Home in the Garden Designed by Thomas Jefferson

Baron Rock Rocks

Baron was noted in the "New Barker" magazine in Palm Beach, Florida. Baron is from Ming's second litter- Ming and Edward's baby. Baron is taking Palm Beach by storm. Baron usually resides in Massachusetts with his beloved companions Ginger and Wayne but does spend his winters in Florida. Hugs to the whole family.

Vote for Finn

http://www.terrierclub.com/poll/bos.php?vote=312

Please vote for Finn. He is currently in second place and needs your vote!

Meet TriBeCa's Play the Nick - "Banner"

Dangerous Pet Products?

Audrey and Pups - 12 weeks

Westie Performing in Agility - I must try this next with Audrey

Hurray for Baron

Baron, from Ming's second litter with Mac-ken-char's Superhero, "Edward", won BIS at the Palm Beach Dog Show a few months ago. Of course, I really wanted to post the pictures and his winnings (a GIANT dog bed, gift cards, and plenty of accolade) but was just not tech savvy enough to post here.  I just received news that Baron will be featured in The Spring issue of  The New Barker Magazine.

Baron will also appear in the  2012 issue of the HARDCOVER coffee table book, Palm Beach Pet Society, which comes out near the holidays. A story about Baron  being  as snow bird between Massachusetts and West Palm beach, Florida, will be detailed too.  This is  a  very special honor to appear in Palm Beach Pet Society.  We are thrilled!

We are so excited for Baron!!!

Puppies are 10 1/2 Weeks Old - Sleepy Time

Hugs to Each Puppy

Audrey's Second Litter - 9 weeks old

The puppies are now nine weeks old and very curious. They are playing with each other, sharing toys, and having many discussions. They have started to explore the rest of the house one at a time and love to poke around.

Puppies are Growing!

Puppies Waking Up

3/21/12 Puppies Are Five Weeks Old!

Audrey's Second Litter - Enjoying Some Classical Music

They Are So Well Behaved

These puppies are so calm. They politely play with their toys and share with each other. They are teething and one tried to teethe on my finger and when told no, she stopped. I think I only encountered 2 incidents where they tried it on each other and when the other one cried, the teether stopped and now they are just teething on their toys. I find myself taking too many puppy breaks...they are right outside of my home office.
I must get work done.

Sleepy Pups

We have a back sleeper in this litter. There were a few in Audrey's litter. 

Then They Grew...

They are growing fast. They are now four weeks old and have had their second round of deworming. They are still on mother's milk as Audrey is still allowing the feedings. They get supplemented with raw goat's milk (smells like honey) and rice (baby food). They will be changed over to their raw diet at week 5. I am planning to have them get their first round of shots around week 9. 

Seven Little Ones (4 boys and 3 girls)

Weeks 1 and 2. Audrey, again, was a fine mother to the babies.

Babies!

February 6, 2012.