Review: Zealot Designs a Draft Test

Inspired by her beloved Newfie, Zealot, Ozzie Foreman strived to exercise the breed's instincts via the modern, organized approach of certification. "Zealot designs a draft test" describes the evolution of the NCA draft test while speaking the devoted Newfie owner's desire to enable their dogs meaningful engagement in life by exploring their innate potential.

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/drafting.html

Roseann Benson

Back to Backing

Good suggestion about using the hallway for backing Kathy.

Another way to practice backing in the house is when your dog comes over to see you while you’re watching the Patriots (that’s hockey right Cheryl?). As she inserts herself between the couch and the coffee table, an excellent opportunity presents itself.

S/he may even choose to back herself up in situations like that. Great opportunity to reward or even repeat the behavior. “Good back Livvy!!”.

And while she may not understand the reason for backing next to a white pole out in the middle of a whole field, she may well figure out on her own that to get out from a tight space she has to back up.

Karen Pryor in Don't Shoot the Dog tells about using this technique to teach dolphins. When she saw them doing naturally a behavior that she wanted to be able to get "on command", she reinforced that behavior right then as it occurred. Karen is a clicker enthusiast, but reinforcement is reinforcement.

"Ooooo, husband picked up his dirty boots from the kitchen table ... good husband .... good boy!"

Bob

The boot scenario described above is completely fictitious. Any similarity to any persons living or dead is entirely .... blah blah blah

Some Serious Learning took place today.

Today was great. Molly - thanks again for hosting and for all of your work in setting up the manuevering course. It was terrific practice. Next week we'll aim to do another manuevering course (on snow so get those sleds ready!), basic control ring, and a short freight haul. And I promise we'll have you out of there in time for the Super Bowl.

And remember, there is a lot you can do in your own living room. Call your dog to front. Back them down the hallway. Practice harnessing while they hold still. Put your dog in a down/stay while you eat dinner.

Great fun, everyone.

Kathy

Mary Anne's Pics

Hi everyone,

I did take a lot of pix and at Bob's suggestion I uploaded them to Picasa. I'm not a very good editor so most of the pix are here, I did take about a dozen of the group and I didn't upload all of them. I tried to get pix of the all individual dogs working, Pam, I'm sorry, you must not have gotten over to the far side. Some of the down/stay, some of the wait-at-the-movable-barrier. It looks like you can order prints from Picasa or if you have a favorite let me know I can send the high res copy to you individually. I brightened up most of them, I think seeing their beautiful faces is more important even if it washes out the background.

http://picasaweb.google.com/effiesmom1/MaryannepixDraftingatmollyJan1907

Mary Anne

She's Stylin'

Hi if you want to try sunglasses I have 2 pairs. (yes, I did say to pairs of dog sunglasses. it was a moment of weakness) Neither Lani or Nimbus will leave them on- If you want to try Roseann.

Also while I was training today at Masterpeace, Fran, the owner asked if we would every be willing to do a carting demo? I said most likely yes, but it would be easier after the test. (unless we want to do something sooner)

Pam

No Snow but Fun

No snow in this one, but lot's of fun.

Video courtesy of Mary Anne,
posted by Bob.

Great time at Molly's yesterday

• We had such a great time at Molly's yesterday. I loved the the maneuvering course as it reaally helped to work on what I think is the most difficult part of the draft test.
• Molly, you did a great deal of work setting up the course, cooking the wonderful food and having us all over! Thanks so very much! The practice, the conversation and friendship is always so wonderful with this group.
• Rosanne & Jim - thanks so much for walking with Sophie as she needs the practice to 'stay with stranger' for her CGC. (And, Cleo, thanks so much for sharing your parents with Sophie - you're such a gracious girl!)

Work, work, work at Molly's

We worked today folks. Molly had a great maneuvering area set up. There were coaches, folks ready to help steer you through the course and time to go a second time if you wanted.

Serious Kudos to Molly, Mary Anne, John, Kathy et. al. for a great day.

Field Trip to Riverside Canine Center

A real quick field trip today with Hannah. We drove down to Riverside Canine Center. It's a good location for us under a half-hour away. They were just finishing up the morning's competition obedience classes so we got to see a few Border Collies, Goldens and, yes, even a Rottie who looked out of place but was working in picking out a specific dumbell from a huge pile. Not sure he found it, but he was definitely working the problem.

A few inside pictures in the MMN Photo Album
http://picasaweb.google.com/stoneridgefarm/Riverside_Canine_Center

Their forte is obedience work, no Rally at all. I struck up a conversation with Steve who was very helpful and suggested I might want to consider Waggin Tail for Rally work

Waggin' Tail Dog Training Center in Westford MA, which actually is 10 minutes closer to me, is more what I am looking for. Their class offerings including beginner Rally and something called Fun Beginner Agility. Steve pointed me to Sandy Madden who is one of the trainers there.

http://www.wtdtc.com/index.htm

Breed Handling on a drop-in basis is also available.

This week I'll schedule a field trip and see what it looks like.

Cold Day, Cold Noses, Warm Hearts

It was a lot of fun and thank you Kathy for having us at your house again..
I was happy Jersey was well behaved around the kids. I even think she enjoyed giving them rides.

Molly

On Jan 5, 2008 4:58 PM, Kathy wrote:
Today's practice was great fun. I will be interested in seeing the photos that come out of it. Then there were all of the rides that Amos and Jersey gave the little kids in front of Marshalls. And how many people hung out of their car windows to snap a photo on their cell phone? Quite a sight.

Don't forget that Monday is the day to mail in your draft entry if you're going to enter. And if you're not, consider stewarding. It's a great way to be up close and personal and learn a ton. As you get your sleds done, send photos. And we'll be sending out a list of our practice locations for the next few weeks shortly.

Thanks for the fun.

Kathy

Newf Year's Resolutions

You knew someone was going to say it.

Today is January 1, 2008. That gives us all 365 days to make and keep our resolutions. I’m putting mine together now (because last year I didn’t make them until Thanksgiving). With this support group, how can we fail?