The Dog Show

(Thomas Brown and Ebony have a clean sweep to win the Companion Dog Title!)

At the Cabarras County Arena all 3 buildings are packed with dogs, their handlers, and spectators like myself! There is so much to take in all at once it's overwhelming. People and dogs shuffle in all directions like slow-motion bumper cars. Booths line the exterior of the show rings with a variety of products and services for canines and humans. Every breed we can think of (and some we didn't) are here, represented. Each building has a focus: Agility, Conformation, and Obedience.

The Agility area is dominated by two large rings, surrounded by stadium seating. Harried dogs and their handlers scurry to one side or the other. Here the hustle and bustle is frequently punctuated by yips of anticipation and barks of exuberance. Dogs of all shapes and sizes fly through complex courses. We cheer indiscriminately at the dazzling canines going breakneck speed through the courses.

(Brutus and I have competed in Rally Style Obedience)

In the center building the large space is gated into 8 showing rings, where each breed struts at it's appointed time. It is a dizzying symphony of controlled motion all around as we turn first one way, then another to ogle pampered pooches parading by finely dressed judges who poke, prod and caress their coats. Exhibitors awaiting their turn are very friendly and willing to share information about their breed(s), and the dog they are showing.

In the far building three more large rings hold a variety of dogs competing for Obedience or Rally titles. Like the Agility, pure and mixed breed dogs can compete to earn awards. The dog and handler teams must accurately perform set patterns to earn a title. They may have to sit, down, stand, stay, go over a jump, retrieve things, heel past food, toys or children in any combination or order depending on which title they are pursuing. These things also may be on or OFF leash depending on the level of competition.

(Brutus said "But I don't want to hold the ribbons in my mouth Mommy!")

We wander through all of the buildings and the grooming area learning more in each section until our feet start to ache and our shoulders are stiff from holding all of our purchases. A glance around reveals many people are packing up- done for the day. We no longer inch along shoulder to shoulder with dozens of other canine connoisseurs. As we wander to our cars, we agree that we really must make time to go to another show soon. It's too good of an experience to miss!

I Did Not Kill The Cow!

                   (No, my dogs do not normally sit in the front seat, especially the driver's seat, but I thought it would look cute for a blog photo!)

     I have a perfectly normal (if a bit dirty) silver car.  I has four tires, a steering wheel, a big dog or two in the back, and a driver (ME).  All of these things are rather mundane and attract no more attention to me than any other car on the road.

     What makes people stare at me is the multiple skulls I have in my rear window.  No one notices them until they are directly behind me.  It is particularly entertaining for me if I was stopped beside them at a red light just seconds before and smiled and waved in a friendly manner, and they then end up behind me as we move forward.  I keep one eye on my rear view mirror just to watch the point and stare.  Tail-gaters tend to back off once they are close enough to glimpse the collection of ivory bones.

                                                                         
    Students of mine who are bold enough to mention my "unique" or "interesting" decorations are always a bit hesitant to ask about them.  I do not mind.  I know it is unusual.  I simply have a fascination with bones (not to be confused with death, which everyone always wants to jump straight to assuming).  My Fiance has a particularly keen eye for spotting bones when we are walking in the woods.  One may be surprised to learn how many neighborhoods are built on old cow pastures. 

     It amazes me how beautifully simple, and marvelously complex the bone structures we have found are.  The skulls are the easiest to transport, thus, they end up in my car (like everything else I touch seems to end up). 

     The question that I am asked the most frequently is: "Did you kill all those things?" followed in a close second by "What animals are those?"  (Most people are too timid to blatantly ask "Why???")  So here's the skinny!
     1.  No, I did not kill these animals, I do not know what did. I only found, or was given their bones.
     2.  The largest is/was a cow, there is a large turtle skull (it looks almost avian!), a turtle shell, a small buck, and either a large cat, or small fox of some sort?  (We shall have to call the last one my mystery skull.)
     3.  There really is no reason why.  They are great conversation starters (or enders in some cases), that's for sure!

Chocolate Dog

                                            *Photos are courtesy of Debbies Delights Chocolate Store!

     You can probably guess I love dogs (obvious, I know).  You may not have guessed I love chocolate too (but I guess that could be pretty easily evident with my gender).  What on earth am I talking about? How do these two things relate?  Chocolate dogs of course.  I rank them as one of the "Top 10 Things That Make The World A Better Place".

     My dogs are quite wonderful, but I don't ever expect to bite off their ears, or paws, or tail (only one of my two dogs even HAS a tail anyways) and have the taste of sweet, sugary chocolate awesomeness fill my mouth! 

     While I was enjoying the Dog Show at Cabarrus County Arena last month, I happened to pass by a display stand of yummy goodness!  But they didn't call it that, the signs said "Debbie's Delights".  A very friendly woman offered to help us find whatever we needed or something, but I couldn't hear her because I was trying not to let my saliva drip off my chin. 

                                                                                

     The booth was a veritable cornucopia of chocolate in the most adorable of shapes, sizes and packaging.  Gift baskets were neatly arranged to showcase the pawprint print and shiny ribbons that could not steal the spotlight from the chocolate that had been molded into Labradors, Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Great Danes and many other breeds.  The smell of sugar permeated in the air.

     The only conclusion I can arrive at definitively is this:

Chocolate=Good.    Dogs=Good.     Chocolate Dogs= Super-Duper-Fantastic-Tastiness!

     If you know someone who loves animals and chocolate, you should consider getting them something like this.  I am sure they will love it as much as I do!

                                                                                   
(To my Fiance Matthew: My Birthday is in August. You should get me the chocolates recommended on this site!  The lollipops are my favorites!). 

Yee haw!

     My first rodeo! I've been dying to see one for a while. Horse trailers and big trucks crowd the field like overgrown shopping carts on one aisle of a store.

     The huge arena is already speckled with cowboys and cowgirls warming up their trusted steeds. I notice two dogs pacing on their tie-outs by the gate. One sturdy Border Collie and an Australian Kelpie mix, mostly black.

     When the dogs are released they shoot all the way to the other end of the arena in a blur of motion. Whoosh! Under the fence and around the small herd of calves they go. A man's voice sporadically directs them in a conversational tone, but for the most part, the dogs know what to do on their own. Within moments frisky cattle await in an orderly line in a narrow chute to be released towards cowboys with lassos.

     For a moment I forgot about those riders. I can't wait for the dogs to work again!

*This photo is posted courtesy of Carolina Kelpie Cow Dogs

Busy Dogs!

     A big part of what makes our furry companions so lovable is their playfulness!  However, at times their energy can seem inexhaustible!  A recurring question I have encountered as a professional trainer is "What dog toy can I get that will last longer?"  This question is usually accompanied by a list of destroyed  items and hyperactivity.
   
     The sad truth is that NO TOY IS INDESTRUCTIBLE!  Now, I will attempt to soften that blow.  There are active steps owners can take to teach their dogs how to enjoy the toys and not be destructive.  The first step is understanding that ALL toys are designed to be interactive to a certain extent.  They are designed to be used with a human at least watching over.  Some toys make it obvious how to interact: ropes are tug toys, balls are to be fetched, etc.  Other toys are designed to be challenging for the dog: puzzles that require them to move or manipulate the structure to earn rewards.  None of the toys I have seen are designed to withstand a dog just laying down and chewing on them.

     Dogs chew not because they want to annoy you, but because it feels good.  It releases endorphins (feel good chemicals) in the body.  It is a natural behavior that burns energy and helps to relax the dog.  The next step is to provide your dog with items that they are allowed to chew.

     At my house, I use raw knuckle bones and shanks (NOT the basted ones with the gooey flavor painted on them).  Some of my students also use these bones, or for lighter chewers nylon, flavored bones, or heavy duty rubber chews.  Choosing objects such as old shoes, old socks, or discarded baby toys are not good choices for several reasons.  There are small, sharp or indigestible pieces on some shoes or baby toys, and socks (and other fabrics) ingested sometimes must be surgically removed to save the life of the animal.  From a behavioral perspective, the dog is gaining the idea that it is okay to chew on a human's shoes, socks and toys.  Even when choosing correct items for chewing, the owner needs to be aware of how quickly the objects are getting worn down, and take them away from the dog when small enough to present a choking hazard.

     In short, it is unrealistic to expect a dog to understand the first time a toy is placed in front of them that some are for chewing, and some are for playing.  Every dog learns a bit differently.  If you have a question on this topic relating to your own dog, please feel free to contact me!

Reader's Choice

Dear Readers,
    
     Grace and I want to keep you coming back for more!
    
     Please tell us what you would like to hear about!

Pawsitively Yours,

Lindsay Ritter
pawsthenplay@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/pawsthenplay

I do, dog

Look how cute I am Mom!

Wedding planning feels like it is eating a chunk out of my life the size of a full time job! With the event set less than 6 months from now, I have been struggling to negotiate all the many details involved with making the day an enjoyable experience for all who will be attending.

I camp out on the couch for most of my planning sessions, surrounded by various pamphlets, multiple notebooks, invitations, a calendar, my phone, and computer. Brutus now curls up in a ball on his end of the couch when he sees me assembling my pile of "Wedding stuff" and bringing it to the living room. He serves as a warm stripey table for my spiral ring binder that holds the master list of tasks accomplished. Grace lays patiently within sight.

The more websites I browse and phone calls I make, the higher my blood pressure rises. The more frazzled I get, the closer my Shepherd creeps...

BOOP! A cold wet nose gently inserts itself in my left ear, then withdraws. Brutus yawns and stretches. My notebook slides casually to slap the floor. Another Four-Pawed victory. It's time for a break! Outside to stretch and play fetch for a bit. My happy dogs keep ME happy!

When we are all relaxed again, and a little bit tired, we straggle back inside to the couch. I pull my tiara from the table and put it on Grace for fun. Ready to work again!