We are going to have a competition sized metal teeter soon! :D
It has been cold and snowy so we haven't done a whole lot of training.
I am just wondering what the point of doing agility with puppies is. Why the hurry? Just because you are allowed to start competing with pups around 18 months of age doesn't mean you have to. I personally don't like seeing people put their 10 month old puppy on a full sized teeter. The same goes for people who are running 12 week old puppies across a board. If you do all the foundation needed, then you shouldn't have to start obstacles early. Lay your foundation correctly and the obstacles will come very quickly once your dog is ready for them. Also, why work weaves [even entries!] before the dog is a year? The 2x2 method usually takes under a month to train so if you start at 15 months you will have decent weaves at the age of 16 months...isn't that good enough? Sometimes I wonder why people originally got their puppy...to do agility or because they wanted a dog to bond with and love. Because not letting puppies be puppies and have fun is seriously contradicting of people who claim the latter.
Li is old enough to compete in February and Flick is already old enough. But I will wait for Summer for Li and at least March for Flick. For many of the people [especially novice/intermediate people] who want to trial as soon as possible, it makes it seem like they are excited for themselves, not for the dogs. I also don't really understand planning goals like "Go to nationals" or "make the world team" before you compete with your dog. Some people even set these goals before they get a dog! I am not talking about specific people. I have just run into some people with this thought process and have slapped my little sister on the side of the head for saying such things, haha.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Goals for December/January/February
Flick
-Stand stay
-Left and Right
-Cik/Cap/Out
-Running contacts at 2 feet high
-6 weaves with entries
-Default down on the table
-Away and Swing
-Solid recall
Li
-Left and Right
-Better Cik/Cap/Out
-Contacts at 3 feet high
-6 weaves with entries
-Default down on table
-Solid Recall
-Away and Swing
-Better behaviour around people and animals
Libby
-Left and Right
-Cik/Cap/Out
-Contacts at table height
-4 weaves
-Default down on table
-Away and swing
-Solid recall: Big one for us!
Shadow
-4oTF contacts on Dog Walk and A-Frame
-6 weaves
-Cik/Cap/Out
-Default down on table
-Solid recall
-Away and Swing
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Winter
And with the first snow, winter is officially here. Karyn and I packed up some agility stuff today: the PVC channel weaves, a jump, a tire, the chute, the pipe tunnels, etc. I got my winter training set up! In the garage I have a jump and 1 sets of 2x2 weaves for entry work. On the big back porch I have a jump and 2 2x2 sets for weave work. We have a fenced in area I was using as a contact training area. Well, it is so big that now I have some equipment down there to train Libby. She can't work outside that pen because she will take off....it's a husky thing, don't judge us. haha So now we can work on her sliding table and cik/cap/out using a winged jump. I also have an 8' plank and a 12' plank down there for dog walk running contact training. I also have an 8' long, 3 foot wide thing to work on A-Frame contacts with when we get to that point. The dog walk is the only thing left in the original field, haha. It has no up-plank though....we are just using it for Shadow's 4 on the floor training.
The dogs are doing good and I'll be training all 4 later today.
The dogs are doing good and I'll be training all 4 later today.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
December
It is almost December an November was honestly disappointing. We didn't train much but I have to admit that they were pretty good when we did get a chance to test their skills. This month I'm working on the basics since we can't do much in the snow that will be coming so soon. I want to work inside to get better weaves with moe distractions. I also want to teach all three dogs verbal only cik and cap commands. [verbal override- no body language is taken into consideration when I say cik or cap] Lastly, we will continue with runing contacts but my only goal is to get them all up to 1 foot high.
-Ria
-Ria
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Training...or lack thereof?
Sorry to update again today but it isn't like anyone reads this anyway. I'm too scared to give out the link because I'm pretty opinionated on PyreSheps and don't like to get chewed out. xD
I worked with Li and Flick today. I took Lib down to the contact training field and she didn't really want to work today so we didn't train, we just ran around and played, lol. It is really muddy and wet out.
Li had some awesome running contacts. I'm just running him on Libby's flat board because I am too lazy to constantly prop it up then take it down. It wouldn't hurt him to take it slow at Libby's pace anyway. We aren't competing until at least next Spring so we have tones of time to take it slow and get it perfect.
I worked mainly sequencing with Flick. She was very good! She needs to read my body language a little better but once she has her verbal directionals down body language won't matter as much anyway. I'm one to teach a verbal command for every behaviour and then practice them until they are under stimulus control rather than be silent throughout the course and rely on mostly body language and wonder why my dog took the wrong obstacle when my foot was out of place or something, lol.
I'm not setting specific goals currently, I'm just going with the flow. I am thinking I will try to start trialing Li early next year, Flick in the middle of next year, and Libby at the end of next year/2011. Li is going to be easy to prepare. Flick will be easy once we get to know each other better. And Libby might take a while to learn everything I want her to. Sure, I could forget cik&cap, running contacts, left and right, etc but then it isn't very fun in the long run for her or me, lol.
-Ria
I worked with Li and Flick today. I took Lib down to the contact training field and she didn't really want to work today so we didn't train, we just ran around and played, lol. It is really muddy and wet out.
Li had some awesome running contacts. I'm just running him on Libby's flat board because I am too lazy to constantly prop it up then take it down. It wouldn't hurt him to take it slow at Libby's pace anyway. We aren't competing until at least next Spring so we have tones of time to take it slow and get it perfect.
I worked mainly sequencing with Flick. She was very good! She needs to read my body language a little better but once she has her verbal directionals down body language won't matter as much anyway. I'm one to teach a verbal command for every behaviour and then practice them until they are under stimulus control rather than be silent throughout the course and rely on mostly body language and wonder why my dog took the wrong obstacle when my foot was out of place or something, lol.
I'm not setting specific goals currently, I'm just going with the flow. I am thinking I will try to start trialing Li early next year, Flick in the middle of next year, and Libby at the end of next year/2011. Li is going to be easy to prepare. Flick will be easy once we get to know each other better. And Libby might take a while to learn everything I want her to. Sure, I could forget cik&cap, running contacts, left and right, etc but then it isn't very fun in the long run for her or me, lol.
-Ria
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Weaves
I'm so excited with how Flick's and Li's weaves are coming!
You can see how Li's weaves are set up at the right. I have a set of 6 with the entries straight and the middle slanted a bit. I'm using my channel set for that. Then I have two pairs of 2x2 weaves in front of the table. I am working on standing anywhere I want in that area and sending him to either set of weaves from the table or the other set of weaves. He is doing fantastic with minimal missed entries. He is showing great enthusiasm and is single stepping, just plowing through the weaves like a maniac. haha I am also practicing not only sending him from a distance but sending him from one side, then back crossing and passing him. He never pops out. :D
At the right, you can see how I have Flick's weaves set up. I'm working her from the table to the weaves and from the weaves to the table. The three reasons for this are:
1) The table is her favourite obstacle so it keeps her motivated
2) She is coming from the table at a stand still, and she knows she will have to stop on the table going at it so she doesn't accelerate too much as to stop thinking and miss the weaves entry. Once it becomes second nature to her, then I'll start adding more difficult, faster obstacles into the mix.
3) I get to simultaneously work on her default down on the table as well as her weaves without splitting it into two different session! haha
I am also working on sending her from a distance and have gotten up to 20 feet away!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Useless Updates
Yeah.
I emailed Silvia Trkman a few weeks ago but I probably won't get a reply until January...November and December are busy months for her I expect. I have been working with Flick with agility foundations...any level of drive she had when sent to me has been seemingly tripled! She is so insanely crazy awesome. Li is weaving 6 poles now but we are working on entries from any angle and also not popping out when I run past or do a cross. I am mostly working with Li trying to get him to not chase the Donkey. That uses most of our training treats/time for the day.
Once I can afford it, I'll be fencing in the dog field. Heh, I need to get my homework done so I can go to my dad's work to learn a job so that I can make money so that I can fence in the agility field. That is my incentive to do homework, like it?
Libby, my Siberian, is doing well. I am just working with her in our tiny little garage. It is a 4 car garage [2 wide and 2 1/2 deep] but with everyone's junk in there, we only have about the space of a 2 car garage. I am working on waits, tricks, and recalls...all that delicious foundational junk. I am reminded why I adore PyreSheps. Anything I have to spell out for Flick and Libby, Li does naturally with no training at all, lol.
I've not been having a good time in the past few weeks with dog people. First, the run in with my mentor. The great battle of trying to get papers from Li's breeder. Arguing with people about show vs. working on almost every website/list/forum I am a member of. Being put of by the fact that not only is Li's breeder breeding a DOUBLE MERLE but that the dog in question is only a year old. That means that there has been no OFA certifications as the minimum age for that is 2 years. If you want a PyreShep, just go to Europe, lol. Less drama. Anyway, one USA breeder I -would- recommend is Bien Aime. She loves the breed, doesn't dock/crop, and has outstanding temperaments. *cough*And she doesn't keep her dogs in bad conditions*cough*
-Ria
I emailed Silvia Trkman a few weeks ago but I probably won't get a reply until January...November and December are busy months for her I expect. I have been working with Flick with agility foundations...any level of drive she had when sent to me has been seemingly tripled! She is so insanely crazy awesome. Li is weaving 6 poles now but we are working on entries from any angle and also not popping out when I run past or do a cross. I am mostly working with Li trying to get him to not chase the Donkey. That uses most of our training treats/time for the day.
Once I can afford it, I'll be fencing in the dog field. Heh, I need to get my homework done so I can go to my dad's work to learn a job so that I can make money so that I can fence in the agility field. That is my incentive to do homework, like it?
Libby, my Siberian, is doing well. I am just working with her in our tiny little garage. It is a 4 car garage [2 wide and 2 1/2 deep] but with everyone's junk in there, we only have about the space of a 2 car garage. I am working on waits, tricks, and recalls...all that delicious foundational junk. I am reminded why I adore PyreSheps. Anything I have to spell out for Flick and Libby, Li does naturally with no training at all, lol.
I've not been having a good time in the past few weeks with dog people. First, the run in with my mentor. The great battle of trying to get papers from Li's breeder. Arguing with people about show vs. working on almost every website/list/forum I am a member of. Being put of by the fact that not only is Li's breeder breeding a DOUBLE MERLE but that the dog in question is only a year old. That means that there has been no OFA certifications as the minimum age for that is 2 years. If you want a PyreShep, just go to Europe, lol. Less drama. Anyway, one USA breeder I -would- recommend is Bien Aime. She loves the breed, doesn't dock/crop, and has outstanding temperaments. *cough*And she doesn't keep her dogs in bad conditions*cough*
-Ria
Monday, October 26, 2009
Updates
Li's weave poles are going great! He is weaving 6 poles that are almost together. His contacts are nice as well. We are still on 36" high. I sequenced a little with Flick and Li today and worked on jumping commands. A little bit of everything, haha. Flick has a hilarious sliding table. I will probably train a sliding down unto the table as a default behaviour and ask for a sit if that is what the judge wants. Or just have two different commands for the table...I don't know yet. Flick is weaving 4 poles that are spaced quite a bit apart.
My goal over the next few weeks with Li is to remove all the emotional charge of looking at the donkey, horses, and people. I want him to ignore everything and everyone unless he is told to say hi...then he should go up and touch their hand with his nose. He does that on command with people he somewhat knows but now with strangers yet. I also want him to have a better recall when we are at home. He seems to have a good recall in public...probably because he is insecure.
I have to decided to build an A-Frame soon because they dog walk training is coming along so well. I have started working with my Sibe again! We are going to learn agility even though she is 5 years old. We worked on cik and cap tonight. I'll be training a good recall soon...that might take all winter. I hope we don't get heavy snow this year...that sucks for agility.
My goal over the next few weeks with Li is to remove all the emotional charge of looking at the donkey, horses, and people. I want him to ignore everything and everyone unless he is told to say hi...then he should go up and touch their hand with his nose. He does that on command with people he somewhat knows but now with strangers yet. I also want him to have a better recall when we are at home. He seems to have a good recall in public...probably because he is insecure.
I have to decided to build an A-Frame soon because they dog walk training is coming along so well. I have started working with my Sibe again! We are going to learn agility even though she is 5 years old. We worked on cik and cap tonight. I'll be training a good recall soon...that might take all winter. I hope we don't get heavy snow this year...that sucks for agility.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Pyres
I know I just posted on this subject but I posted this on a forum and I'm going to paste it here so I can refer back to it whenever needed. Thank goodness for copy and paste!
In my opinion almost all of the owners and breders talk them up way too much. I only met well behaved ones and talked to people that only gave me the pros so I was honestly shocked when I got mine, lol. If not for my experience with tough breeds [Siberian Husky for example] it would have been a disaster.
Let's see...
Pros
-Crazy- they can always cheer you up with their antics
-Fast- they have the potential to be great agility dogs
-Small- They range from 14"-22" and 15-25 pounds
-Low/Non shedding and minimal grooming
Cons
-Hyperactive- they are literally impossible to tire out, if you aren't home a majority of the day, they will bark and chew like crazy
-Shy- even with extensive socialization, they can be shy. Mine barks at visitors and other animals a lot.
-Barky- Whether they are working or playing they will talk your ear off. Mine barks out of boredom, barks at people, barks at animals, barks when excited, barks when intent on a task, etc.
-Soft- This is why they are hard to train. They often misbehave during training- so much it almost seems as if they are doing it on purpose. If you say no or express disappointment in any way, they will shut down. My boy will run off whenever he thinks he is not being appreciated enough.
-Bratty- They are in love with themselves and they think that everyone else should be as well. They ignore everyone and expect them to bow down from a distance.
OMG, I felt like I just described my Siberian Husky! They are more like Huskies than Border Collies. In fact, that is probably why I get along so well with my boy- I like stubborn dogs that think for themselves, not pleasers that want you to think for them. xD
So yeah. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone that doesn't have a lot of time and patience. Oh, and tolerance for barks and chewing. My boy chewed my mp3 players apart, a bunch of my favourite books, papers and drawings. If I leave him crated in my room for more than 20 minutes without me, he barks his head off. When I leave him uncrated for more than 20 minutes, he will pull everything off my desk and pull all off my clothes out of my closet and inspect their pockets for treats.
In my opinion almost all of the owners and breders talk them up way too much. I only met well behaved ones and talked to people that only gave me the pros so I was honestly shocked when I got mine, lol. If not for my experience with tough breeds [Siberian Husky for example] it would have been a disaster.
Let's see...
Pros
-Crazy- they can always cheer you up with their antics
-Fast- they have the potential to be great agility dogs
-Small- They range from 14"-22" and 15-25 pounds
-Low/Non shedding and minimal grooming
Cons
-Hyperactive- they are literally impossible to tire out, if you aren't home a majority of the day, they will bark and chew like crazy
-Shy- even with extensive socialization, they can be shy. Mine barks at visitors and other animals a lot.
-Barky- Whether they are working or playing they will talk your ear off. Mine barks out of boredom, barks at people, barks at animals, barks when excited, barks when intent on a task, etc.
-Soft- This is why they are hard to train. They often misbehave during training- so much it almost seems as if they are doing it on purpose. If you say no or express disappointment in any way, they will shut down. My boy will run off whenever he thinks he is not being appreciated enough.
-Bratty- They are in love with themselves and they think that everyone else should be as well. They ignore everyone and expect them to bow down from a distance.
OMG, I felt like I just described my Siberian Husky! They are more like Huskies than Border Collies. In fact, that is probably why I get along so well with my boy- I like stubborn dogs that think for themselves, not pleasers that want you to think for them. xD
So yeah. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone that doesn't have a lot of time and patience. Oh, and tolerance for barks and chewing. My boy chewed my mp3 players apart, a bunch of my favourite books, papers and drawings. If I leave him crated in my room for more than 20 minutes without me, he barks his head off. When I leave him uncrated for more than 20 minutes, he will pull everything off my desk and pull all off my clothes out of my closet and inspect their pockets for treats.
Ahh!
I know I'm updating a lot recently but that's because my dogs are being so amazing!
Li and I did a little agility today. The plan was just to do tricks and cik/cap a little with lots of rewards while playing the "Give me a break" game. Well, whenever I gave him a break he would start jumping on me so I used his enthusiasm to practice some agility. His distance work was fantastic! And the best part.....he ran his first dog walk! I usually put him in the middle and have him run down because we have running contacts and are back training the obstacle. Well, he ran up the contact, past the middle, and down the other side and hit both contacts with perfect stride! I am ecstatic! I wasn't planning on asking for an entire dog walk for a while yet. I'm so happy with my boy, he didn't even look at the donkey today. Starting out with heavy rewards and making him ask -me- to train with him worked awesome.
I took Flick and Li for a 3 mile walk today in pouring rain, lol.
I am on an emotional high still because of what Li did!
Edit:
I sequenced with Flick as well and she did great with distance work. =]
I am going to read Control Unleashed. "When Pigs Fly" and "From the Ground Up" are also on my list. CU mostly for Li's focus. I'm reading "When Pigs Fly" for more info for future reference. Aaand I am working through "From the Ground Up" as well as Anthony Clarke's foundation books for Flick. =D
Li and I did a little agility today. The plan was just to do tricks and cik/cap a little with lots of rewards while playing the "Give me a break" game. Well, whenever I gave him a break he would start jumping on me so I used his enthusiasm to practice some agility. His distance work was fantastic! And the best part.....he ran his first dog walk! I usually put him in the middle and have him run down because we have running contacts and are back training the obstacle. Well, he ran up the contact, past the middle, and down the other side and hit both contacts with perfect stride! I am ecstatic! I wasn't planning on asking for an entire dog walk for a while yet. I'm so happy with my boy, he didn't even look at the donkey today. Starting out with heavy rewards and making him ask -me- to train with him worked awesome.
I took Flick and Li for a 3 mile walk today in pouring rain, lol.
I am on an emotional high still because of what Li did!
Edit:
I sequenced with Flick as well and she did great with distance work. =]
I am going to read Control Unleashed. "When Pigs Fly" and "From the Ground Up" are also on my list. CU mostly for Li's focus. I'm reading "When Pigs Fly" for more info for future reference. Aaand I am working through "From the Ground Up" as well as Anthony Clarke's foundation books for Flick. =D
Monday, October 19, 2009
It is my birthday!
I'm happy! and it's my birthday!
Great videos, lol. We had a small party here yesterday for the relatives. Then we took all 4 dogs up to the woods for a long walk! That was great. I got some money- I can start to pay off dad for Flick. lol I found out that mom is paying for my dog walk...I argued that one a bit but she said that it is part of my extracurricular/sports thing. I agreed when she put it like that. After all, she used to dish out 110 a month for gymnastics so...
-Ria
Great videos, lol. We had a small party here yesterday for the relatives. Then we took all 4 dogs up to the woods for a long walk! That was great. I got some money- I can start to pay off dad for Flick. lol I found out that mom is paying for my dog walk...I argued that one a bit but she said that it is part of my extracurricular/sports thing. I agreed when she put it like that. After all, she used to dish out 110 a month for gymnastics so...
-Ria
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Training Updates
Training today was great...Li has good running contacts. The 12' plank is set at 36" high. I am working on getting complete running contacts on a full sized dog walk, getting him to weave 6 poles, and teaching him left&right&go on before December. We have already made so much progress that it seems like we will reach these goals by November! haha
Flick is coming along slowly but surely. Her running contacts are crap because she, like Li used to, hops off the side of the board whether it is propped up or flat. My brother and I are back training her so she learns to run straight, lol. Our main goal for the rest of autumn is running contacts on a full sized dog walk and left&right&go on. She is doing better than Li so far in the directional commands aspect. They each have their own area of expertise- flick's is thinking and Li's is doing! xD
Li has a few new tricks. I really need to get a camcorder! He snaps at the air, sits with his paws in the air, sits while moving his front paws up and down in the air [we call that one "Stallion"]. He also invented a new one when we were free shaping. He turns so his rear is facing me, then looks at me, bending his head straight over his back to view me upside down. He is such a dork! haha I love my dogs!
-Ria
Flick is coming along slowly but surely. Her running contacts are crap because she, like Li used to, hops off the side of the board whether it is propped up or flat. My brother and I are back training her so she learns to run straight, lol. Our main goal for the rest of autumn is running contacts on a full sized dog walk and left&right&go on. She is doing better than Li so far in the directional commands aspect. They each have their own area of expertise- flick's is thinking and Li's is doing! xD
Li has a few new tricks. I really need to get a camcorder! He snaps at the air, sits with his paws in the air, sits while moving his front paws up and down in the air [we call that one "Stallion"]. He also invented a new one when we were free shaping. He turns so his rear is facing me, then looks at me, bending his head straight over his back to view me upside down. He is such a dork! haha I love my dogs!
-Ria
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
October Agility Training
Things are going well in general.
I tried some Ketschkers with Li and he was flawless. I will definitely be using these in competition. They are so fun!
Click here to view a video of them
Li is just working on these and different directional commands. We are also working on distance.
Flick is running the same courses as Li which is amazing! But I am emphasizing Cik and Cap as she doesn't have those down perfect. Also, she is learning to follow my hand because it gets annoying when I have my right arm out and she suddenly appears on my left, haha.
I was drilling tunnel entries with both. I think we did well all in all. If it not windy in the next week or so, Flick will be learning the Chute. I was doing channel weaves with them but I'm almost tempted to give it a rest fot the Winter. I am not competing until April probably so I don't have to train weaves until March. There are only 6 weaves in the first level of AKC so I'm not concerned. Knowing my dogs, they will pick up the weaves in a couple of weeks.
I am going to make my dog walk when the kit arrives. I won't make an A-Frame until November or December. My teeter base plan is in the "shop" but when my uncle gets around to it, it is as good as done. Anyway, the talk of Contact equipment reminds me that I should be working on running contacts as well, haha.
That's all for now. My birthday is in a week- I'll be 15. Only one more year until I can drive and I'll really be hitting the Agility rings! Thank goodness for a family that is into the car business...my mom assured me the other day that I don't have to buy my own car. That means I can focus on paying off all my agility equipment. xD
-Ria
I tried some Ketschkers with Li and he was flawless. I will definitely be using these in competition. They are so fun!
Click here to view a video of them
Li is just working on these and different directional commands. We are also working on distance.
Flick is running the same courses as Li which is amazing! But I am emphasizing Cik and Cap as she doesn't have those down perfect. Also, she is learning to follow my hand because it gets annoying when I have my right arm out and she suddenly appears on my left, haha.
I was drilling tunnel entries with both. I think we did well all in all. If it not windy in the next week or so, Flick will be learning the Chute. I was doing channel weaves with them but I'm almost tempted to give it a rest fot the Winter. I am not competing until April probably so I don't have to train weaves until March. There are only 6 weaves in the first level of AKC so I'm not concerned. Knowing my dogs, they will pick up the weaves in a couple of weeks.
I am going to make my dog walk when the kit arrives. I won't make an A-Frame until November or December. My teeter base plan is in the "shop" but when my uncle gets around to it, it is as good as done. Anyway, the talk of Contact equipment reminds me that I should be working on running contacts as well, haha.
That's all for now. My birthday is in a week- I'll be 15. Only one more year until I can drive and I'll really be hitting the Agility rings! Thank goodness for a family that is into the car business...my mom assured me the other day that I don't have to buy my own car. That means I can focus on paying off all my agility equipment. xD
-Ria
Monday, October 5, 2009
PyreShep Rant
I am honestly so worried about the future of my breed. Dx
PyreSheps are in a delicate place currently as far as temperament and drive goes and I'm afraid that if more people get into the breed that only want to show, it will be a mess. A few breeders [I wont name names] don't even screen potential homes! And they talk up the breed like it is perfect! These things are naughty! And crazy, and hyper, and stubborn and an armful and a half!
Everytime I hear someone say "I really want a PyreShep" I just cringe. I don't know why...I love the breed. I just feel so overly protective of it. At least one breeder I know of [again, not naming names] has at -least 3-5 litters PER YEAR. What the hell?
It makes me so sad to imagine my boy in a home where he doesn't get constant attention. In my opinion, not everyone is suited for a PyreShep...in fact barely anyone is. I'm not calling myself special...I just have a lot of time, willpower, and experience training stubborn dogs. Coming from a Siberian, my boy seems really obedient and "easy" but if I was coming from say, a BC or Aussie, he would seem like an impossible demon.
People love them because they are "fast and obedient" but what Pyres have you seen? Oh right! The -trained- ones at the agility trials. You didn't fall in love with the sense of humour, the charm, the crazy "try anything" attitude....you fell in love with the "pretty outline" or the fast run times. You hear that they need tons of socialization. You think "every breed claims that, of course every breed needs socialization..." but they are over the top. You hear that they need exercise but you think "So do all dogs..." but they are over the top. This breed is not for everyone. You may think "Borders and Huskies claim that as well..." but they are OVER THE TOP. Honestly, most people would hate my Pyre...and they do. Everyone that meets him either loves him or hates him...the latter being the majority.
They aren't like Borders. They aren't like Labs. They aren't like Aussies.
People let the insanely amazing "Pros" overshadow the insanely terrible "Cons". Sure, they barely shed, are fast, are a perfect size, and can be trained to do amazing things. But they bark excessively, their coat holds a ton of water and dirt and mud that they bring into the house, they dig like crazy, they get very dirty on purpose, they are bossy with other dogs, they chase cats, can be hard to housetrain, they take the wrong obstacle in a second when you run agility, and so on. Yep, people claim that most this stuff can be trained out. It can. But they of course don't tell you how hard it is. My boy is now a year old. And after battling accidents in the house, dirty pawprints on the carpet and my clothes, him constantly jumping the 4 foot fence into the goat pen, him chasing the horses and eating horse "apples", chasing the cats, purposely provoking other dogs, him barking and growling at every visitor and sometimes even members of the family that come home, and him ignoring my recalls, I am starting to see results. The past few months have been horrible- I didn't want to admit to anyone that my perfect puppy turned into a disobedient nervous wreck. I socialized him, did everything right and he turned out wrong. He is now comes when he is called most of the time, leaves cats alone, only barks a little when people come over, and doesn't have accidents inside anymore. But it was hard and the only reason it happened was because I started to do online schooling so I could be with him 24/7 to fix his problems. He still is reactive to people out in public, and even goes after our horses still.
If you can't commit to being with your dog at least most of the time-especially during the first year or two of life-then don't get a PyreShep.
Nothing prepared me for this experience, not research on the computer or meeting them in real life. Everyone I met talked them up like crazy and I only met well behaved dogs. Remember this post before considering one, please!
PyreSheps are in a delicate place currently as far as temperament and drive goes and I'm afraid that if more people get into the breed that only want to show, it will be a mess. A few breeders [I wont name names] don't even screen potential homes! And they talk up the breed like it is perfect! These things are naughty! And crazy, and hyper, and stubborn and an armful and a half!
Everytime I hear someone say "I really want a PyreShep" I just cringe. I don't know why...I love the breed. I just feel so overly protective of it. At least one breeder I know of [again, not naming names] has at -least 3-5 litters PER YEAR. What the hell?
It makes me so sad to imagine my boy in a home where he doesn't get constant attention. In my opinion, not everyone is suited for a PyreShep...in fact barely anyone is. I'm not calling myself special...I just have a lot of time, willpower, and experience training stubborn dogs. Coming from a Siberian, my boy seems really obedient and "easy" but if I was coming from say, a BC or Aussie, he would seem like an impossible demon.
People love them because they are "fast and obedient" but what Pyres have you seen? Oh right! The -trained- ones at the agility trials. You didn't fall in love with the sense of humour, the charm, the crazy "try anything" attitude....you fell in love with the "pretty outline" or the fast run times. You hear that they need tons of socialization. You think "every breed claims that, of course every breed needs socialization..." but they are over the top. You hear that they need exercise but you think "So do all dogs..." but they are over the top. This breed is not for everyone. You may think "Borders and Huskies claim that as well..." but they are OVER THE TOP. Honestly, most people would hate my Pyre...and they do. Everyone that meets him either loves him or hates him...the latter being the majority.
They aren't like Borders. They aren't like Labs. They aren't like Aussies.
People let the insanely amazing "Pros" overshadow the insanely terrible "Cons". Sure, they barely shed, are fast, are a perfect size, and can be trained to do amazing things. But they bark excessively, their coat holds a ton of water and dirt and mud that they bring into the house, they dig like crazy, they get very dirty on purpose, they are bossy with other dogs, they chase cats, can be hard to housetrain, they take the wrong obstacle in a second when you run agility, and so on. Yep, people claim that most this stuff can be trained out. It can. But they of course don't tell you how hard it is. My boy is now a year old. And after battling accidents in the house, dirty pawprints on the carpet and my clothes, him constantly jumping the 4 foot fence into the goat pen, him chasing the horses and eating horse "apples", chasing the cats, purposely provoking other dogs, him barking and growling at every visitor and sometimes even members of the family that come home, and him ignoring my recalls, I am starting to see results. The past few months have been horrible- I didn't want to admit to anyone that my perfect puppy turned into a disobedient nervous wreck. I socialized him, did everything right and he turned out wrong. He is now comes when he is called most of the time, leaves cats alone, only barks a little when people come over, and doesn't have accidents inside anymore. But it was hard and the only reason it happened was because I started to do online schooling so I could be with him 24/7 to fix his problems. He still is reactive to people out in public, and even goes after our horses still.
If you can't commit to being with your dog at least most of the time-especially during the first year or two of life-then don't get a PyreShep.
Nothing prepared me for this experience, not research on the computer or meeting them in real life. Everyone I met talked them up like crazy and I only met well behaved dogs. Remember this post before considering one, please!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Flick and Li
I have my new Terv! Exciting much! Almost all of today was spent outside with the 4 dogs: Shadow, Libby, Li, and Flick. We figured out who is going to be doing what. I'm doing Agility with Flick and Li and showmanship with Flick.
I had a falling out with my dog show mentor though. Apparently she has been saying some nasty stuff behind my back. I've decided to quit the dog show scene. I'm so glad I had Flick spayed. I never want to do conformation. I am going to do juniors though I think occasionally. Look out for Flick and Li in agility rings around the Wisconsin and Minnesota area this Spring! Like one of my best friends, Sarena, said perfectly about showing, "Meanwhile you sacrifice your money, your family, your relationship with your animals (they don't like it, whatever people say, it's so stressful, and the ones that 'love it', really just love the bait, or the attention, or the 'getting out in the car') and your will power. It winds people up, it makes them competitive and fierce.
I'm not showing much anymore because I've realised that..." and agility. "I think that agility builds a much better, healthier bond between human and dog, though it's still very competitive, and it's better for the health of both partners."
Soooo, life is good. And I finally have a cell phone, lol.
I had a falling out with my dog show mentor though. Apparently she has been saying some nasty stuff behind my back. I've decided to quit the dog show scene. I'm so glad I had Flick spayed. I never want to do conformation. I am going to do juniors though I think occasionally. Look out for Flick and Li in agility rings around the Wisconsin and Minnesota area this Spring! Like one of my best friends, Sarena, said perfectly about showing, "Meanwhile you sacrifice your money, your family, your relationship with your animals (they don't like it, whatever people say, it's so stressful, and the ones that 'love it', really just love the bait, or the attention, or the 'getting out in the car') and your will power. It winds people up, it makes them competitive and fierce.
I'm not showing much anymore because I've realised that..." and agility. "I think that agility builds a much better, healthier bond between human and dog, though it's still very competitive, and it's better for the health of both partners."
Soooo, life is good. And I finally have a cell phone, lol.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Came to a Decision
I've decided to wait on a new agility dog for now. But I may be getting a retired sleddog that leads for bikejoring and recreational sledding. it could be fun, haha. It depends what my parents say.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Li!
The face of a demon ^ yep, that's what it looks like.
Li "lee" [aka Liman, Limur, eekers, eekman, stinker, or stink bomb] is doing great. See never plan ahead, because everything goes awry anyway. My Blue Merle female with long ears and a long tail came home as a BLACK MALE DOCKED and CROPPED dog. haha He really isn't black anymore though. He has a lot of grey in him.
His dark grizzled jacket and grey legs and face make him look like a Schnauzer wannabe. haha
His underbite makes him look like he's smiling, even when his mouth is closed. It's really cute. *silver lining*
Both of these photos were taken at my dad's work in the spare office where we hang out when we visit. I biked him the 5 miles to get there so that is why he is sitting still. He usually is out of the viewing frame by the time the photo is snapped. haha
Anyway, more plans gone crazy : my future show dog has an underbite and is a cryptorchid. haha I just love this! He's getting neutered on Monday by the way.
His running contacts that were going to be started by now have been delayed by a stubborn little dude that doesn't see the point in running across a flat board if he can hop off the side and run on normal ground. haha To fix that problem, after shaping, back training, and luring didn't work, I propped the 8 foot long board about 10 inches high and taught him to run UP it which he gladly did for the treat or toy that was waiting up top. Putting it in reverse was easy after that. Once he understood that he was supposed to trot ON the board, I slowly lowered it down and now am asking for a run. He is at 2 inch height right now and I am just going to work up from here now.
His cik/cap/outs are phenomenal though! He is getting so reliable that I can usually send him from any angle and from EITHER side of me and he'll still hit it. I am very excited with his consistency.
He gets a kick out of chasing cats but only does it on command. I'll be standing around with him and he'll spot one of the cats and he'll look at the cat and then look at me. I release him and he chases the cat down the first set of stairs to the front entryway [we live in a split level house], then I call him and he comes back to me without hesitation. He enjoys chasing goats with me. I have this one really strong stick that is about 4 feet long, 1 inch in diameter, and nearly impossible to break that I use as kind of like a shepherd's staff. Li tries to corner them while I grab them by the horns, sitting on them, and check their feet. It's fun. Li is much more speedy than the goats so he just runs circles around them and they couldn't charge him even if they tried. When I am checking their hooves to see if they need to be trimmed yet, Li can sometimes still be wild, therefore freaking out the goat and the goat turns on me and goes crazy. What is nice in such a situation is Li's down command, which is extremely solid and he even listens from a distance.
He shows no fear of horses and even challenges them but I try to keep them separated as the horses hate dogs and wouldn't hesitate to put their lights out. Yeah, bad I know.
He does pipes of any shape. Instead of starting him on a short and straight pipe and work him up to a curved, long one I took a shortcut. I put him in a crate out side so he could see me and my lab/GSD mix. I then sent the mix [who is an amazingly consistent dog but is built for speed not endurance so is good for one course and then is VERY slow for a few days as if to say "that was my exercise for the week, now let me Sleeepp!" She is the most naturally talented dog I've ever seen though or maybe just very lazy. Her laziness is good because her mentality is "I want to get this over with so I can go back to sleep ASAP. To cut her time on the course, she makes VERY tight yet fast turns, has NATURAL built in cik and cap without the commands [she basically turns while jumping haha] and she has 99% hit contacts on her 100% fast dog walk] through the tunnel and praised her and played with her and did everything in my power to make Li jealous of the attention. When I let him out of the crate, he was determined to copy Shadow [the mix] so he could get all those treats and hugs too. I sent her through the tunnel and Li followed. I praised him like crazy. I repeated this a few more times and soon he was just going in by himself and not waiting for sluggish shadow. Welcome to the lazy person's way of dog training! haha
Anyway, that's all for now - just an update.
-Ri and Li [ "REE" and " LEE" yep, they rhyme, yay *rolls eyes* I am tiiirreeeddd. Li wears me out haha]
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