A Dog Day on the Farm

     I am always looking for something new and fun to reward my pups for their hard work.  We love to learn about all types of training.  Grace has been adjusting to her new workload seamlessly so I decided a reward was in order!  For this trip, I chose to take her to a farm that specialized in herding.

Grace says "Go THIS way sheepies!"

     My Service Dog Grace has a wide background of work experience and exposure.  She has a firm foundation in basic obedience on and off lead, we took a test to be therapy certified, we have competed in competition obedience, dabbled in field and tracking work.  I felt herding would definitely be a new and fun experience, even if she did not end up having much of a natural ability for it; and knew we had a strong enough understanding as a working team that I would be able to re-direct her if the safety of the animals was ever questionable.  I had no idea what to expect.

The owner/operator of Finley Vue Farm Kelly Martin

      Findley Vue Farm in Burlington has Katahdin Sheep, Call Ducks, and Indian Runner Ducks.  There are three arenas and a round pen fenced off on the beautiful property.  The weather was perfect- mid 80s and breezy with enough sun to wear my sporty sunglasses, but not enough to feel like we were baking.  It kind of felt like I was glimpsing a secret garden as I pulled slowly into the drive.  The owner/operator Kelly Martin came to greet me as my car slowed to a stop.


    Grace and I were led to the smallest of the sections and allowed to go in with three sheep.  Instead of a traditional shepherds crook (I had Little Bo Peep in my head the entire time and it made me giggly!) I was handed a long (it was at least 5 feet) slender and lightweight pole.   Kelly already had a "feel" for how Grace and I were bonded, so suggested that it would be less stressful for me to go in with her, instead of asking her to work for someone else.


     Boy oh boy, am I awkward!  The first and most important thing was for me to BE QUIET! All that obedience residue was stuck like glue to me- I wanted to know "Should I give her the send out signal?"  "Do I encourage her verbally?" "Should I shout if she is getting too close too fast- what if she runs over a sheepie?"  Kelly has the patience of a saint.  He successfully quieted me, explained that I had to keep moving, outlined a projected movement pattern for the sheep, me, and my dog, all while calling out directional cues to me while I was in constant motion. WHEW!

I am leader of the sheep!

     Kelly was a smooth operator while I was tripping over his wonderfully tolerant sheep.  Apparently the sheep have been exposed to people like myself who are not really sure what to do around them!  Grace had a few bright ideas however!  She discovered that if she trotted along by them they would move away, and she could even make just one move around the pen!  We were both exhilarated and exhausted in a matter of minutes.  Kelly saw when our energy level dropped and suggested a break so Grace and I had time to rest, gather our thoughts and observe some of the other dogs who had come out for the event.

     There were a variety of herding breeds present, and varying skill levels as well.  We enjoyed watching a young Border Collie pup experiencing sheep herding for the first time, and also saw dog and handler teams working with sheep and ducks in other areas.  Water was distributed to dogs and bipedal folks in need as we relaxed and exchanged pleasantries.

     Grace and I were invited into the round pen with 3 sheep multiple times, with breaks in between sessions.  Each time felt a bit smoother and more purposeful as Kelly guided me kindly to shape my movements (mostly I was getting in the sheep or Grace's way).  After the sessions, he even took the time to walk around the farm to show us other areas where they hold competitive trials, and extra pastures where there is more livestock.  

     We cannot wait for our next visit to Findley Vue Farm!

*Photo by Diane Lewis:  The first Non-Border Collie AKC Herding Champion in NC, a Sheltie named "Chase" (who was Kelly's FIRST Herding Champion Dog! Hooray Kelly!!!)

* A few helpful links: 

If you would like to learn more about herding and schedule your own fun day, please click the link below and contact Kelly via his Facebook page!

Findley Vue Farm

Findley Vue's YouTube Channel  

Paws Then Play.com

Paws Then Play's Facebook Page

Air Force Military Working Dogs

      SSgt Justin Aycock is now separated from active duty with the Air Force as a Military Working Dog trainer and handler, but in the North Carolina Air National Guard.  He was selected to be a Military Working Dog handler for part of his military career.  Eleven years of active duty in the military can teach some pretty incredible things.  Over 6 years of service spent overseas in multiple countries can lend a depth to perspective as well.  Training and handling K9s is challenging on several levels.  Justin not only excelled at working with his canines, but loved it.

Christmas day '09 after a mission with US Special Forces Team

      I did not know any of this about Justin when I approached him with my blood tracking dog.  All I knew was that he seemed completely at ease around a working dog.  In the conversations that followed, I have learned so much more about this dedicated Airman, who has been gracious enough to send multiple photos, and answer several rounds of questions.

     To become a dog handler in the Air Force, you must apply to the school.  If there is a need for more handlers at that time, you may be selected.  Once selected, the new handlers will be instructed for 12 weeks at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas.  Justin sent me a copy of the USAF K9 Training Regulations, and the document is over 200 pages long.

SSgt Aycock with Dani/D054

     Not only are handlers expected to understand all of the K9 requirements and how to train to achieve them, but they must having a working understanding of canine ethology, classical conditioning, all four quadrants of operant conditioning and the terms the Air Force uses to define all of the methods used.  Basic healthcare is expected - to physically check the dog over for general health, trim the toenails, express the anal glands if necessary, cleaning the ears, administering oral medications, and dealing with vomiting or diarrhea.

     And there is more.  Handlers must know about caring for the physical well being of their animal in serious situations.  I don't mean just checking the pulse, and for dehydration.  They must know about diseases and parasitic infections, how to treat burns, or what to do in the case of poisoning.  Handlers need to be able to administer multiple chemicals subcutaneously or intravenously, knowing how much of which and when.  They need to be able to treat bloat,  lacerations or other massive physical trauma.  They need to know how to treat their K9 until it can be brought to a veterinarian, who will NOT be in the field with them.

     There are also high standards for the dogs.  The Department of Defense selects dogs from Europe several times per year to be shipped to the Lackland AFB in Texas for training.  The dogs have 90-120 days to complete their certifications before they are shipped to their operational units.  All dogs must be trained for protection work (attack, agility and handler protection) to be suitable for patrol.  The highest demand is for dual certified K9s who also certify for explosives detection.  A dog can be disqualified for behavioral or medical issues, but those dogs are either adopted or donated to local police forces.  Dogs and handlers who succeed the challenges of training are then paired, and sent to protect our soldiers abroad.

     In other countries, dogs are viewed quite differently.  Many would give a wide berth to the K9s and their handlers, particularly in the Arab countries where dogs are kept mainly for protection, and not as family members.  In Muslim culture, dogs are seen as unclean.  When I inquired about dogs overseas, Justin said "I have never seen so many dogs before, they roam around in packs, eating trash, dead animals, whatever.  It looks like the ASPCA commercial, really sad."  The strays are usually not healthy, and are not necessarily friendly either.  Even with multiple stray dogs looking on at any given moment, a dog and handler team are still expected to operate effectively.  Lives are literally at stake.  A patrol leader as well as the handler will do everything in their power to keep their working dog safe from the diseases or any violence from the strays.

Katya/M228

     Even with all the rigorous training required, Ssgt Justin considers it well worth it.  He had 5 dogs he was paired with on various deployments not including the ones he trained with.  Justin bonded very closely with his working K9s.  I know Justin was smiling when I asked him if he also taught his working dogs tricks and games to help pass the time and have some fun.  He replied "Absolutely, usually the same things you would teach your personal dog.  I taught my third dog Katya/M228 how to speak on command [using a hand signal] while in Iraq."   He plans on continuing training working dogs after he finishes his B.A. in Criminal Justice.

     When I asked Justin how it feels to have the hands on the leash of a Military Working Dog; after a night he answered me.  "It's a feeling I can't describe, especially when you get to use your skill set on a 'hot' call at home station or a bomb sweep when deployed.  I had been a handler about 3.5 years before I deployed to Iraq, and the suspense of going out on your first mission and gearing up yourself and your dog and knowing that you may be the only thing that means the difference between getting life or death for yourself or others weighs on you."

January 2010: Weapons search at a market near Diwaniyah, Iraq

     The five dogs Ssgt Justin Aycock worked closest with are listed below.  For more details on Justin's training history click here.

          MWD Dani/D054 - Explosive Detection/Patrol

          MWD Ciba/H181- Patrol

          MWD Katya/M228 - Explosive Detection/Patrol

          MWD Bartje/L243 - Narcotic Detection/ Patrol

          MWD Charis/K106 - Narcotics Detection

     As we were wrapping up the interviews, I asked Justin if there was anything else he felt was important to share about him and his career in the Air Force.  He asked that I share two organizations' websites.  These two organizations support Military Working Dog teams all over the world.  Please take a moment to check them out!


   The US War Dogs Organization  www.uswardogs.org 

     The John Burnam Memorial Foundation  www.jbmf.us/index.aspx

     To close, I will leave you all with some of his own words that resonated with me, and really made me feel his passion for his continuing career with working dogs:

 "...seeing the product of your training, it's very satisfying to see your dog perform on a task that you have trained for.  Very few jobs that I have had offered that.  You may be having a rough day but once you leash up and start training you have to be on top of your game..."  

Pet Store Visit

Me, Theo and Grace 

     I had run out of doggie shampoo, and so decided to visit a large chain pet company (not the clever one).  When I go out, whenever possible, my pups accompany me so I brought Grace, and another German Shepherd Dog that was staying with us that day.  Any visit is a great opportunity to practice skills learned in another location (also called "proofing").

     So we collared up (no naked doggies traveling) and headed out!  Boy, nothing makes people point and stare quite like a tiny girl with two large dogs.  No big deal I guess.  We went to the shampoo aisle, and since it was a bit crowded, I had both dogs sit and wait while I went a few paces away to pick some out.


     As I retrieved my dogs and tried to make my way to the front of the store, an associate walked our way rapidly.  She had her hand out in front of her, fingers facing down, palm away from us, I presume to let the dogs sniff it.  She was cooing and making kissy noises at my perfectly heeling duo.  Before the dogs could decide what to do with this strange person (their answer would be: rush forward to make out with her and yank my arm out of the socket), I redirected them and placed them in heel position this time with ME between the dogs and the crazy lady.  

     The store associate tried to simper sideways around me (a great opportunity to practice a left pivot in brace) twice before standing up to look at me.  When she finally met my eyes (and was giving me a dirty look), I said loudly "Hey!" and smiled, and took my dogs and marched right past her to the registers.  Both dogs are very friendly indeed, but the employee never asked, so I chose to pretend I had no idea she wanted to pet them.  I was so proud of the pups for responding so quickly and gracefully with such a persistent distraction!

Theo and Grace relaxing in the yard post shopping adventures

     In line, there was a delightful customer who gave us a bit of space in line, and smiled to me saying "They are beautiful!  It is so nice how they just sit there.  German Shepherds, right?"  I confirmed that yes, they were and she asked if they had Czeck bloodlines.  We had a lovely but brief conversation while waiting for the line to move.

      I had time while paying to practice their down-stays as well.  A very productive visit!  I simply wish there were more people like the nice lady in line, instead of the pet store employee.

Breed Knowledge

"Lucky", a Standard Poodle.  Poodles were originally bred for water fowl retrieval.

     Many of us have enthusiastically researched a specific breed, just for fun.  Now-a-days, it is easy to find oodles of information about pretty much anything!  With so much information, it can be helpful to keep a spoonful of salt to balance out all the sugary mess streaming towards you.  I have found, when it comes to dogs, many things can end up so "sugar-coated" that the facts are sometimes obscured.  Most texts are written to appease a human, with pleasing a wide audience in mind. Some sites allow anyone to post an answer or definition.



     Language can at times be ambiguous, or unintentionally misleading, even when it is accurate!
When a particular dog breed is described as having certain tendencies, it is not a guarantee!!! People do not publish information about their breed to trick you, but to inform you. Unfortunately, I see nice people all the time reading a page or two and only hearing what they want to.



"Grace" is a German Shepherd Dog

      Take the AKC (American Kennel Club) for example.  They are a trusted and reputable source for massive amounts of information on all breeds.  It says... "the German Shepherd Dog is also a loving family companion, herder and show competitor" on their website describing the Breed Standards.  Of course this can be absolutely true, but that does not mean all German Shepherd Dogs will be those things.  Properly bred GSDs should have the genetic potential to do all these things.  Without guidance and education very few dogs reach their breed standard potential. It is also worth mentioning, that people writing about breed standards and hallmarks are highlighting the best things possible from the traits that breed has.


     To further clarify the quote from the AKC on German Shepherds: 

     "...a loving family companion..." implies the breed craves human companionship.  In a balanced dog, it is what it says.  It can also bring the potential  for separation anxiety.

     "...herder..." states what the dog was bred for originally.  Not all GSDs have as much of an instinct for moving animals, unless they are bred from generations of other dogs that are working daily herding.  Herding dogs have an abundance of energy, and can get nippy with small people (read "Children") if not supervised.  Herding dogs have the desire to control the movement of whatever they are allowed to.

     "...show competitor...." this applies only if the owner takes the time to condition, train and go to the shows with the dog.  This also does not imply the dog will always win....





"Luca" is an American Eskimo dog. Eskies were once used as Circus entertainers!

       This is only a small tidbit to highlight the ambiguous language used to describe dog breeds, and how the information can impact your daily life with your fur-companion.  All breeds have admirable traits!  The trick is also being able to see the potential pit-falls with inherent behavioral patterns.  Not all personality traits are only sunshine and butterflies, remember to read between the lines!


* "Lucky" and "Grace" photos courtesy of Thomas Brown *