Tyto’s Last Missive for the Year. 19^th December 2007

Well here I am, the last one for the year. The last course test that was on the 1^st December was indeed an eye opener. Lots of the primary class passed and so did the beginner class but oh dear the advanced class was a real disappointment. So heads will roll next time in that class.

The primary class passes were: Poppy, Archie, Bobby, Benjie, Lilly, Max and Alfie. In the beginners there were four passes and they were: Leo, Coco, Scoobie and Boba. There was one Novice pass and that was Cody. The advanced class was to say the least very bad and this was all because they can’t keep quiet, the owners that is, not the dogs. In the tests the owners have to only speak the dogs name with one command as they set off on heelwork, then because of the level they are at they shouldn’t speak to them. But sadly this is where they went adrift. Mind you the dogs took it to mean they could have a fine time playing their owners up so although it was a disaster we did all have a laugh at the dogs antics. Never mind next time!

I never went to the last show of this year because the weather, as you all know, was dreadful. She who must be obeyed said that she didn’t want to get wet for nothing but used me as the excuse and said that she didn’t think it was a good idea to put me through it. Hm! I don’t mind a bit of rain but these humans are real wimps when it comes to the weather. In the summer it is too hot, in the winter it is too cold and wet, but if it snows then they are out in it playing!!

Well that I am sorry to say is about it for this year. So I will say woof woof for now and wish you all a peaceful and merry Christmas and new year.

Tyto with further meanderings. 19^th  November 2007  

Well there is good news, bad news and better news. The good news is that the new puppies are doing really well, especially with their recall work. The other classes are also keeping up with their training and it will be interesting to see who passes this time. The weeks are going by very quickly and soon it will be another end of course test and a new course starting in January. We already have owners booking up for that one.

The bad news is that while I was up the Manor with ‘She who must be obeyed’, having my first proper walk of the day, after my first mini walk which I have before breakfast, we  encountered a stray Staffordshire Bull Terrier. He was out without an owner and was, to say the least, a bit growly and ready to have a go at me. Fortunately ‘She who must be obeyed’ took control of the situation and made me lay down and put my lead round the dogs neck to make sure he couldn’t do anything to me.  She then went to see if she could find the owner. She came across a  lady that was walking her two dogs, but the lady didn’t know the dog, so she asked the man doing the council dog litter bins what to do and he phoned for the dog warden. All this time I was laying down by the bowling green fence where I had been left in a ‘down’ while ‘She who must be obeyed’ was up by the top car park talking to this man who works for the council . Many thanks to him for his help. By the way

I was in view all the time but I stayed where I was even when another dog came to see why I was laying down. I just hope the stray dog is reunited with its owner and that the owner is made to put an identity disc on the dogs collar and told that they must keep their dog under proper control and not be allowed out on its own.

The better news is that I went to the dog show on Sunday up in Woking and although it was very cold it stayed dry while my classes were being judged and I came 4^th out of 6 and 3^rd out of 5 in my classes that I was entered in. She was very chuffed and is feeling happier as she was beginning to wonder if the judges didn’t  like my colour. They do seem to prefer black and white collies. But I must be looking good as I am getting consistent placings. My last show of the year is in a couple of weeks time down in Maidstone. So I will again let you know how I do and also the last report for the training classes of this year.

 After my encounter with the dog mentioned in the previous piece I thought I would write a bit about instinct.

To show you what I mean, I will relate to you what a friend said to Sara and I when we told her about my encounter with the dog mentioned. She said that with our experience she didn’t think we would have problems with other dogs. Well, when we are out with our dogs we are just like any other dog owner/walker, except we do keep a weather eye out for loose dogs, or those not under proper control. If a dog is out on its own or off lead and away from its owner they can and sometimes do, take exception to other dogs. The owners are un-aware of this, as they are not near enough to hear their dog grumble or see their body language.In our case having been trainers, owners and dog trainers for a number of years, we have built up an awareness of what dogs do by reading the body language of other dogs by knowledge and a certain amount of instinct.

The seasons have a lot do with how dogs are and also if they have been well socialised and to some extent their sex and age. All dogs should be well socialised and also have a certain amount of training to keep them safe when out mixing with other dogs, people and other animals. No dog should be far enough away from their owner not to be able to keep control of what it may do. So many owners are not aware of what their dog can do and if it does aggress and the other owner say’s something they invariably say ‘My dog has never done that before’. How do they know if they are away from their dog?

So, dog owner’s, please make yourselves aware of what your dog does and do not leave it up to others to always do the avoiding. Take something with you to keep your dog interested in you and not someone else’s dog or someone else’s ball. Teach a good recall to get your dog back when it takes off after others and never let it out of your sight or out alone.

Be Safe and Take Care with your dog. After all you have brought this dog into your care and you are responsible for them.

Brenda

Lancing Canine Obedience Group

Well the classes have started again with lots of lovely new pups. I am really happy with this lot. (bg)! All nice and calm and friendly to me. They can sometimes take liberty’s with us older dogs. It is an old adage that all older dogs like pups. Not all of them do, especially if they are very over the top with their greetings! Anyway they all seem very good and are learning very quickly after just two weeks. I will let you know how they are progressing in another two weeks.

It seems strange that the humans keep saying that at the end of this course it will nearly be Christmas. I remember from the last one that they put a tree up in their front room. What a strange thing to do. I thought trees lived outside for us to sniff round, among other things!!(bg)

I have been to another show and came 4^th in both classes. My next show is on 18^th November in Woking. I will let you know how I do. With this strange weather I have been losing some of my coat and she is not best pleased as I apparently need it for this next show. Ah well we can’t help the weather can we! Maybe she will make me one to wear, after all they wear them when they go out!

This, unfortunately for some of us, is a noisy time of year with loud bangs and funny lights in the sky. I am told it is bonfire night very soon, although I have heard some bangs already and I must say they are a bit loud and at times unsettle me. She turns the tv or radio up and comforts me with a thing called TTouch. It soothes me to sleep and is quite relaxing. It apparently is a form of massage that she learnt to do from a lady that teaches it. Let’s just hope it is over soon (the fireworks that is – not the massage!).

Well that’s about it for now. Keep well and happy.

News from Tyto about my evening out on 19^th October 2007

Well she took me out the other night and wow was I surprised. It wasn’t to a dog show or to an evening training class, but to a meeting of other dogs and loads of humans. We also took one of my house mates Lily and her human Sara. I am told that we were to do a demonstration of obedience and to meet all these lovely people as they say I am a star. Well actually I am a dog and I know there are stars in the sky and some of them are called dog stars. So who knows. Anyway we met up with other doggy friends from training class, namely Gucci, Maisie and Ruby with their humans. Also we met two dogs that did something called dancing to music, their names were William and Lizzie. I’m told they come from a place called Findon. Now I know Lily does this and she demonstrated how to teach it with the aid of her human. Well she knows which side her bread is buttered as she got chicken to encourage her to do these funny moves. There was also a lovely dog called Flossie that is being taught to help humans that are disabled. She works for something called Canine Partners. Like getting the washing out of a basket and picking things up off the floor. Very impressed with her as she was only a babe. (bg)! There was a person called a vet  there to talk about things that I didn’t understand, well I am only a dog and I try to avoid them, as when I do go to see them they either stick a needle in me or it is because I am poorly. (bg)! Mind you they are usually quite kind to me when I do have to go. Anyway I digress. We eventually had to do our bit and we were all very good and at the end we were given lovely treats and a thing called a scroll with our name on it. We also got to say hello to some of the humans that wanted to pat us and I loved that bit. The humans had drinks in cups but we had a lovely bowl of water, supplied by a nice human called David. Thank you David. We all then went home and boy I was tired but have now bounced back to my usual happy self and looking forward to going back to classes to tell everyone there what we did.

I will be in touch again soon.

 Well we had a lovely lot of passes this time. Those in the primary class were: Frodo, Coco, Breeze and Leo, sadly some of the others were away because of ill health.  Beginner and Novice class those that passed were: Hector, Tia, Maddie, Amber, Kizzy, Boba and Scoobie and then Dolche, Meggie, Kelsey, Kizzy and Saffy. Those in the advanced classes were: Ruby, Sebastian, Maisie and Gucci. Lots are returning and we have yet again a full primary class of puppies.

The news is that we will all be present on Friday for the North Lancing Dog Evening. Let’s just hope the evening is dry so that there are no wet doggy paw prints. I am a little apprehensive as you never know what may happen but I am sure all of the dogs will behave, not so sure about the owners though (bg)!!

News from Tyto and classes. 17^th September 2007

Well I will let Tyto tell you his news after I have done my bit! After all I am the one that types this while he is dictating to me what to write. So, news from the new course. Three weeks have gone by already and sadly we have had to advise one of the puppy owners that a hall environment is not for her puppy. If any of you have read a page from our website you will have come across a page called ‘Odd dogs’. This explains that some dogs do not do well in an enclosed environment with other dogs. He is very good outside and at home but he gets very stressed in class, so sadly we had to say it wasn’t for him. The owner is still going to come along and watch and practise at home with him and you never know when he is older he may come back and find that he is ok but for now he must be taught at home. The rest of them are doing really well in their classes.

We have been asked by Andy to do a demonstration for the North Lancing Community, so I hope you all come along and watch what we get up to as well as the other people that are coming with their dogs. Mind you, knowing the saying, never work with dogs and children, you never know what might happen. So please bare with us if it doesn’t all go to plan. (bg)!

The weather is getting cooler but please still be aware that when the sun shines your car or conservatory can get very hot, so make sure that there is plenty of shade and water for your dog. Also make sure you keep checking for those grass darts that can get everywhere, even on yourself.  We had an owner at class that had one stick through her trousers and she said it was very painful. Ouch!!

Now then over to Tyto.

Thank you mistress.  Well I went to a show at the weekend with my friend Caelan and we both got placed. He came 5^th in his class beating two other dogs and I got 3^rd beating another dog in my class. So, I was very pleased with myself. Sara says I was a good boy and moved very well and stood still as well for the judge to go over me. So, lets’ hope the next show is just as rewarding. I must say that I do like going as I get to meet all the dogs that I know and others, so making friends with others is a good day out for me.

Well that’s it really for this time. I will be in touch again after a couple of weeks. Oh by the way I will be helping out at this demo thingy and I hear that there might be a dog in uniform coming ? so I will have to be on my best behaviour. (bg)!

04/09/07

News from a New Dog Course and ‘the mistress’ is writing this. I got that from K9 off Doctor Who.

Anyway, she is going to write it this time because I didn’t go, because, as she says, with a new batch of puppies you never know what may happen. So, over to her.

Thank you Tyto. Well, it is the beginning of a new course and the beginning of a new month. September, one of my favourite months. But the first class of this new course was not one of my favourites. They were very noisy, I will let you decide which were the noisiest, the people or the dogs? (bg)! Actually it was just four new puppies, two were not as noisy as the other two. But, hopefully by next week they will be quieter or we will need ear plugs. Most of the problems owners have is down to the food having too much protein and colours in the content. This can make some dogs hyperactive, a bit like Smarties and children! Also, unfortunately where they have bought their puppy from. I will not go into details here but suffice it to say potential new owners must be made more aware of where to purchase a puppy. Breeding does have a bearing on the behaviour of some puppy’s. I will let you all know how they have progressed in a couple of weeks’ time.

Now then, I thought it might be of interest to some of you to know how Tyto and his friend Caelan are getting on at shows and also my other daughter that lives in America and shows over there with her Tervurens. They are part of the Belgian Shepherd Dog Group. I haven’t got all the details yet so I will let you all know next week as a separate piece. It would also be good to highlight the achievements of any of you out there, if you do anything special with your dogs. Ie: showing, obedience, agility etc. Just let me know and I will include it with my ramblings of Tyto’s and Caelan’s. And of course as long as it is ok with Andy, who lets me include this on his website.

(Fine by me says andy!   please use this link )

That’s all for now folks.

Tyto’s puppy news, three weeks on. Doesn’t time fly. 10/07/07

Well the new puppies have settled down, just the occasional bark from one of them. They all get on really well and have started to do what they are supposed to do. Sits and downs and recall to owner. Just got to get to grips with the heelwork now.

This morning we, that is her and me, went up the Manor and just as the signal came on to cross the road two cars decided to jump the red light. We could have been run over, only she and the other one that comes up here with her dog Lily know now to wait until all cars have stopped like they should do. Lily’s owner Sara has reported to the police that this is happening more and more but nothing seems to be done about it. She says that she wonders if there is a sign up near the roundabout to tell the motorists that there are traffic lights along the road! Ah well, maybe they will get the message soon, before someone else gets knocked down.

Did I say that we are off to another show soon? She was going to take me to a championship show but the entry fees were very expensive and the judge wasn’t a specialist breed judge so we are waiting till there is one with a special judge. Me, I think all humans are special, even judges!   They give me lovely strokes and cuddles. Let’s face it, that’s why I was put on this earth!

Well, the weather isn’t brilliant at the moment but there are a lot of dried bits of grass around so make sure your human check’s your feet and furry bits in case you have any sticking in you. They can cause lots of problems. Also if the sun is shining, remember to let them know that it does get hot in the car and that you would rather stay at home. Unless, of course, they are taking you to somewhere nice and cool for a run around.

Well that is about it for now. I will be in touch again soon; probably after my show and then I will have more news about the puppies and others.

Tyto’s jumping for joy at the end of course results.  14^th April 2007

Well I am told that a lot of them passed this time. Including me. (vbg)!!

The primary babies all passed, at least those that were there to take their tests. To give them a bit of limelight their names are: Millie, Frankie, Teyha, Sebastian, Poppy, Lilly and Kizzy.

In the second class there is: Sammie, Tlly, Cody and Harvey.

The second class also had a good pass rate but the only one to pass in the third class was me mainly because a lot of them were away for one reason or another. I have to be there because she takes me to keep them in order.

In case you are wondering the dogs pass the puppy group by having a good recall off the lead in class and not be aggressive to humans or dogs. All have been excellent this time and ambassadors to all dogs out there.

I have had a bath this week because of a show on Sunday. I do look lovely and I did think that the little heathery bits and dirt on my face were a lovely adornment after sniffing the heather that she had planted, but guess what, she didn’t think so, especially when I came in and put a lot of it on the floor after she had hoovered. No pleasing some of these humans.

Well I waited until I had been to the show to let you know how I got on; to say that ‘she who must be obeyed’ and me have big grins is an understatement. I not only came 2^nd in my breed class but 1st  in the variety pastoral class aswell. So I am well chuffed.

Tyto’s Chuffed to Bits and a win for his friend Caelan at the last show.      7^th April ‘07

Well I have made it up the ladder to a third place in my last show and my friend Caelan came first in one of his classes at the show. We are not in the same classes as he is a Golden Retriever and as you all know I am a Border Collie. Although she calls me a wally at times. (bg)! Anyway our next show is on 15^th April so will let you know how we do.

The dogs at classes are taking their end of term tests today and we hope that quite a few will pass. Can’t say as yet who, as they won’t know until next week, so will let you all know then. Lets just say that a lot have and well done to those. The ones that haven’t will, I know, keep on training and will get there in the end.

Spring has definitely arrived, as we have Blue Tits inspecting the nest box, so we have to be extra quiet when we go out in the garden. Mind you, we have to keep the cat from next door away so we just glare at him. His name is Simba and he is a big softee really and doesn’t mind us but he does like the birds and the mice!

Well that’s it really. Just thought I would write a small piece in case you had thought I had forgotten you all.

Happy Easter

Tyto  Slack leads all.

Tyto’s class review etc. plus answers to pet names for seven best in show breed line up.

Well I must say that the puppy’s were so much better this week. Their training is really coming along. The other classes are also very good and ‘She who must be obeyed’ says I am getting much better at waiting my turn. I have to stay on my bed for a couple of hours watching the others before my class. But I do get to demonstrate some things for them to show how bits are done. Like backward recalls, retrieve and good heelwork. The puppies also did something called distraction training. This is where assorted things are put on the floor for them to walk near and get used to. Its amazing how some puppy’s are frightened of umberellas. People will open them quickly when it starts raining and not be aware that it frightens some dogs. Also, ‘she’ had to buy a fluorescent jacket last week because I was frightened of it. I must admit I’m not now. It was very scary though when you see this apparition standing there all in bright glowing yellow.

I do like being at classes though, it is  better than staying at home as I love to be with her. (Don’t tell her that though)! 

Now then, the show that I went to last Thursday wasn’t a complete disaster. She says to tell you that I did come 4^th but I was not on my best behaviour. Well I do love people and think the judge is there for me to fawn over and be silly with. So, she has made others run their hands over me at class today (Saturday) so that I realise that I must stand still for everyone until I have done my stint in the ring, then I can say hello to everyone. I am sure that humans were put here just to say hello to me! Such is the life of a show dog. Mind you not all dogs like the attention.  Some look a bit bored with it all. I suppose it is because they have been doing them longer than me and know that they have to stand still for the human to look at them. Maybe they haven’t got a mirror at home to look in. I look at myself every morning in the glass door and know I look good!! Anyway I am off to another one next week, don’t laugh it is on April 1st!!1

Now then the answers to the little quiz about the names of the seven best in show dogs at Crufts are:

1. Flatcoat Retriever               Simon

2. Alaskan Malamute             Royal Lito

3. Bearded Collie                    Daisy

4. Wirehaired Fox Terrier       Peggy

5. Bloodhound                        Bertha

6. Tibetan Terrier                   Willy

7. Maltese                               Marc

I wonder how many you knew?

Well that is about it for this week. Four weeks gone by already and she says nearly another full course for next time already signed up. When I write my next report it will be April.

Bye for now Slack leads everyone Tyto.

Tytos musings for 17^th March 2007

Well a couple of weeks have gone by since my last mutterings and I must say that on the second week as predicted the ones that were quiet the first week were noisy the second week.

I expect some of you watched Crufts. I loved the pet names that went with the breeds that were in the line up for best in show. I have listed below the breeds, can you remember the pet names? I hope you enjoyed the other quiz that Andy attached. These are the quizzes that we give our owners at classes and if they get some or all of them correct they get a discount off their next course. 

Now that the weather is more settled I have been out and about quite a bit meeting other doggy owners taking their dogs out for exercise and most of them have been very good. Just the occasional few that aren’t very friendly and I must say the owners are not quite sure how to stop their dogs from being grumpy. For those of you that aren’t sure, use a firm voice and tell the dog ‘No’ and take a step away from the passing dog, with your own dog and keep walking. Keep a shortish lead and tell the dog that it is good when it is quiet and walking with you. Use a treat or toy to keep them attentive to you. Hope this helps.

Well as I mentioned before in another piece I am off to a show on Thursday so I must have a bath to make me look more beautiful than usual. I must also try and keep myself calm when I meet all those lovely judges that want to speak to me. I can’t resist saying hello rapturously. Will let you know how I get on when I get back. Paws crossed for me please. I am now passing over to ‘She who must be obeyed’ as she wants to say a bit more.

Slack leads everyone. 

 Tyto.

Thanks Tyto. Well, because a few people were away this Saturday we took the ones that came down to Beach Green in Lancing for a training walk in the sun. This was a mix of the not so advanced and advanced dogs. We did normal heelwork and jogging heelwork and then recalls on lead. Sits at kerbs waiting to cross the road. All were extremely good. The only down side was that others that had been there before us hadn’t cleaned up after their dog. PLEASE clean up after your dog and give a bag to others that you see not cleaning up and say ‘Here you are, have you misplaced yours’? (smile)!

Well, the weather has turned chilly again and snow is predicted. Enjoy it if it does and keep warm. As Tyto said, we are off to another show on Thursday so lets hope it is at least dry.

Take Care everyone. Brenda aka ‘she who must be obeyed’.

Petnames for the seven best in show line up for the following:

Flatcoat Retriever

Alaskan Malamute

Bearded Collie

Wirehaired Fox Terrier

Bloodhound

Tibetan Terrier

Maltese

New course and lots of new doglets. March 3^rd 2007

Well would you believe it, another month has gone and a new one has arrived. I managed to persuade ‘her’ to take me today, to the start of the new course, by standing in the way of the door with that pleading look! so ‘she’ had to take me. I can always look cute when needs be. Mind you, the others were left behind eating tripe sticks, which I love; but she did give me a couple when we got to the hall. All the new doglets arrived on time, despite the problem of parking. Not a lot of spaces around the training hall. Most of the new babes came in quietly but ‘she’ had to help calm a couple of them down, they soon did and were very good for the rest of their first training time. I bet they aren’t quiet next week. Anyway the class was lovely and I did speak to all of them which was good and they all seemed to like me, even the ones that were a bit hesitant to start with. The second class was good and one of the new owners in this class wanted to know if I was a Welsh Collie. Not sure why he wanted to know as I don’t speak with a welsh accent. I came from Lancashire! Wonder if that is why I don’t understand some things that ‘she’ asks me to do. <bg>!! Actually there’s a tip for all you doglets, pretend that you don’t understand if your human asks you to do something if it isn’t in your native tongue. Amazing what you can get away with. <wink>

Then it was my turn, in the last class and it was good to see all the familiar faces again after a week off.  We all must have been practising because we nearly got everything right. Lets hope next week is just as much of a success.

Now the only other thing ‘she’ has said that ‘she’ must do is get a new hoover as the old one sadly packed up and now that we are all moulting there is a lot of hair to clear up after all of us have finished our training for the afternoon.

Going back to the native tongue bit above does that mean that if German Shepherds speak German, Finnish Spitz speak Finnish and Italian Spinones speak Italian,  Elkhounds speak Elk?