Hi guys!!!!

I missed everyone here. Thought I'd take a bit to stop by and say hi....
I stopped posting regularly because I realized I was missing out on prime time to train my brindle boy.

Koenig is doing GREAT. We made the switch to full time raw a few months ago, and WOW, I've seen a huge difference in him. Great poop, shiny coat, more energy (wait, that's NOT good!), beautiful teeth, just overall perfect health.

In Schutzhund news (WAIT, I mean IPO) nothing huge is new. We've got a different decoy working with us, who's very very experienced, and I'm extremely lucky to have him working my dog. Koenig's bark and hold went from 4 barks to 30 in a few days. AMAZING what a difference a great decoy makes. He can read the dogs, knows what they need.... wow. With a good friend helping us sort out some tracking issues, we're on track for trialing for the 1 in September at my club's trial. Still need a send out, and a stand out of motion.... need to polish protection, but it's all coming together.

In March Koenig got his JHD (Junior Herd Dog) title, with 2 nice runs. He happened to poop both runs.... there is always a twist with the brindle dogs!! We did the trial at the place where we regularly train and herd, so he was VERY comfortable. We may have more of an issue when we move venue's and location- his 'style' is very very different then your typical herding dog- he works wide, and may look like he's not paying attention to what he's doing, but those sheep sure feel his presence! He's loud, fast, and generally very wide. I've been told by experienced herding people who know my breed, individual dog, and are used to herding with the 'off' breeds, that have said he can go all the way to Herding Trial Champion. NO Dutch Shepherd has EVER claimed this title! We'll see- only time will tell how far he goes!!
Here is a video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMXtS7Xa_lI&feature=g-upl

Other then that, we're doing lots of body awareness work- ladders. jumping on all kinds of weird things, backwards heeling, fun fun fun!

We've got an English Shepherd puppy coming in less then 2 weeks! We're getting 'pick' female, a bold black and white bitch. The best thing about this litter is that they are 'Naturally Reared'. Both the Sire and Dam have been raised on raw, are vaccine and chemical free. Puppy is already eating chicken and rabbit quarters, at 8 weeks old!! SUPER exciting to have a pup coming has the potential to be the healthiest of healthy dogs!!! She's from a breeder in Republic, WA, who also raised heritage cattle, chickens, and rabbits. Conveniently enough, this is the small town in NE WA that my parents have purchased 160 acres to retire on. This will be Richard's puppy, since we lost his Sara dog in November of last year. Goals for her: Herding, of course, since English Shepherds are the original Farm Collie!! He also hope (with some major encouragement from me...) to bring her out to the SchH (IPO) club weekly, to do obedience and tracking. She won't be a Search and Rescue dog, as it's the first pup he's raised with goals in mind, but he does want to do the foundation work with her to build his experience. Nosework is something he's interested in, and I am strongly considering starting it with Koenig, just to for another job to do! Puppy (her name is Aden- meaning, Little Fire) will also do agility, and just be a great family dog.

Can't think of a whole lot else, except I'm constantly dealing with the challenge of training my first sport dog, who also happens to be a Dutchie. Man, he sure can throw some twists into a 'normal' training day. Perfect example happened on Sunday. We were doing some focused heeling off leash during protection, around the decoy. When I got the attention and precise heeling I was looking for, I would release him for a bite. At one point, I released him, and he took off, AWAY from the decoy..... after a CROW. Oh geeze dog. You're embarrassing me!!!! Perfectly good man to chew on 20' away, and you go and chase a BIRD?????????? Boy, did my club get a great giggle out of that. I laughed so hard I nearly cried. Never know what to expect with a Dutch. They've got to get creative with you once in awhile.


Anyhow, I've missed all of you- hope all you 'old' regulars are doing well, your dogs are still happy and healthy, and I'll try to be around more often!

Hey Kelly!
I've kept up with you and the brindle one on facebook but it's great to see you "home" again!

Hey welcome back!

Chasing birds...it was a novel thing at the time, you know? Thats just like when I was heeling Logan and marked his focus, ripped a tug out of my pocket and he was face first in my bait bag!!! Like really??

Koenig looks like he was having fun the whole time. Since dutchies are really bred for tending style, I would love to do that with Logan. They do have trials for that too I think...Beaucerons, Briards, Mals, GSDs..etc are made for it. I would like to see more of this less popular style.

But that would ROCK if he a dutchie, got the HTC title!

And way cool he's on all raw now.

Thanks Betty and Tresa!

Koe has a GREAT time herding- he gets a bit over enthusiastic at times (all the barking to start) It works really well to throw things at him (ahahah, no really, I'm serious!) to get him calmed down when not in a trial situation.

He's a happy guy.

Throwing things, a well placed clod of dirt given after an ignored command, is a great remote correction IMO.

LOL Betty, let's gang up on her.... another soggy chunk flyin' at ya from the north.

Hey Kelly, it has been a while. Good to hear you and Koe are doing well. And congrats on the title and the new addition!! And yay for your parents. 160 acres is a good chunk of land.

Say HI to your friend as well. He's missed too.

Good to see you back.

Hi Kelly. IPO-Helper. Lol.

Great to see your name here!

And I love the crow story. LOL

 Quote: steve strom

Hi Kelly. IPO-Helper. Lol.

Give her a break, she has one of those KNPV dogs.

:P :P :P To all of you!!!!!!!


Ahhhhh, I missed Leerburg.


CJ, I will certainly say hi to my friend! He's doing great, as is his sable dog.