Dogs and their titles

[Judy Chrusch]

I just recently was thinking about everyone here who has titles on their dogs and commending them for their obviously hard work. I know how trying just normal training can be and the time it takes,I can't imagine getting CD titles, CDX and so on. I'm amazed of the devotion it takes and the work that's involved. I just want to congratulate everyone here who has done that with their dogs and moved up the ladder to exceed to the various titles your dog has worked for and deserved. I'm also referring to Agility, Therapy and Schutzhund. A job well done everyone :D. I don't think these titles are complimented enough and I feel there's much more work in them then a showdog, JMO. Keep up the good work everyone, you're doing a great job. I just felt it was worth mentioning.

Judy

[fbkeays]

Thank you. My girl and I just earned our first CDX. It has been a long road. She taught me a lot and she forgave a lot too.

[DNeff]

Congrats Francis on your new CDX, that's fantastic news. You must be soooo proud!! Make sure she gets an extra big hug and treat for all her hard work.
I know what a relief it is to finally be done with Open. The long downs are murder.

Judy, thanks for recognizing everyone's amazing efforts. It's so great to see rotties out there "working".

Dawn
U-CD Cammcastle's Mystic Riven CDX OAC OGC NA NAJ NJC TT CGC
http://members.aol.com/dplantier
http://members.aol.com/rottweilerworld

[AngelBunny]

Judy Chrusch:

While it is hard work, it's also tons of fun. If it wasn't, I don't think many people wld title their dogs--I know I certainly wouldn't!

Also, some of us title our dogs because they drive us to do so. If the dog I'm currently working wasn't the way she is--highly energetic, very smart, manipulative, and in many instances, a PEST--I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing with her.

Because I wouldn't have to.

Mox needs the mental stimulation & the physical exericse that go along with being worked to be a nice dog to be around.

Yes, titles are nice, but they aren't the reason Mox gets worked.

[Judy Chrusch]

AngelBunny, it's funny you mention the mental part of it bc now that Czar is better you can tell the wheels are always turning, LOL. Before we knew he was sick he was in the beginners of Agility but got waaay too tired, then of course we found out why but this spring I'm gonna slowly get him back into formal obedience and fun things again. We work at home but it's nice to be in a group. Plus I'd like to see what he can do now that he's well. My dream after he finisned in the ring was to get some OB titles on him, maybe I'll have that chance afterall:D. I came to appreciate other titles and other things that people do with their dogs after watching OB at shows , I sit their in sheer amazement at the work and dedication that's put into it. As I said, I commend ALL of you:D.

Judy

[AngelBunny]

Judy Chrusch:

It was a struggle to put a CD on Mox becuase she got bored. I think she may enjoy open work more.

Based on what I saw, she had tons of fun meeting sheep for her HIC, and the little bit of AKC tracking work I started w/ her (before we got snowed out) she really seemed to enjoy. She had lots of fun in pre-agility; I'm thinking of doing more agility w/ her.

I want to see what she thinks of carting--my guess she'll do fine, but it won't be her fav because there won't be enough to keep her interested.

"So, big deal--I'm pulling a cart, so what?"

W/ Moo, it's definitely variety that helps and doing things where she has to think.

I do plan to see if I can do more herding w/ her. Finding someplace/someone to help w/ this will be a challenge, I'm sure, but I think Mox would really enjoy that.

It really hasn't been hard putting titles on Mox because she's got "oomph." There's no way I cld've done so if she wasn't the dog she is--can't wring blood from a turnip.

[Judy Chrusch]

AngelBunny, Czar is a thinker too. We play a game where he has to find the right toy I ask for, you can actually see him thinking about it. I told my husband how he stands their and thinks, then scans over his toys till he gets the one I asked for and if he's wrong I'll say, "Noooo, find your," whatever it is I ask for, then he gets it. They just amaze me :D. I'm really looking forward to better weather bc lately we've had either rain or snow. I work out in my driveway with Czar just going over basics just to remind him who's the boss, LOL.

Judy

[Elijah's Mom]

Judy, I am so glad Czar is doing well!:) I haven't been on the Forum much lately so am trying to catch up a bit!

I never planned on earning agility titles with Elijah...we were just taking classes for fun!:) His love of agility and my classmates pushing me led to competition...and geez are we having a good time!:)

We took competition obedience classes for several months and
Elijah was doing well but I really couldn't find the time to devote to obedience and also give agility my all. My hat is off to those with obedience titles-lots of hard work and patience goes into that training...and oh how beautiful to watch a well trained dog work!!!!:)

[Judy Chrusch]

After hearing all the good things everyone here has to say about OB titles on their dogs I've decided to give it a shot:D. Our trainer does OB in the ring, though we haven't been to her since the spring bc of Czars illness we will have to start all over. I plan on getting him started in the spring in another basic training class, which he should fly through, then go from their. He's not quite ready just yet which is why I'm waiting till spring. Waaay back when Czar was a baby my goal was to get his CD and his CDX after he got his Championship, then he got sick and we were told he basically had to become a couch potatoe , tell that to a dog who's mind is always working and wants to work in that sense. Now that he got permission to do what he wants and is able to do, we are going for it all the way. I know this will take a long time but we have it and I don't want to rush things. I want us both to have fun and keep the stress minimal. This is a veeeery BIG step for me bc I can't stand to make a mistake much less do this in front of people so it will be challenge for me as well. I will keep you posted and in the next couple of weeks I will talk to our trainer, tell her what my goals are then go from their. How does all that sound? Oh and in the meantime, we will visit shows and watch! I would love to have suggestions, tips, whatever would be helpful. I think Czar takes after his granddaddy, he had MANY titles. Thankyou everyone for helping me come to this decision.

Judy

[BostonRott]

Training dogs is a blast!! :) Wouldn't trade it for the world, especially not with this breed.

Froli and I have just recently ventured into agility, and once we get her SchH3 this year, we'll head over to the AKC ring and work on the CD/X and hopefully the Futility title (UD). ;)


I love agility because it's very much a handler's sport, whereas the other sports are more about the dog. It's YOUR job to think through the course, and plan something that will get you and the dog safely through the course without taking down any rails (or errantly plowing into equipement).

I hope that whichever venues you choose, that you and your dog have a blast, and thank you for working your Rottweiler!! :D

[mferg]

Originally posted by BostonRott

I love agility because it's very much a handler's sport, whereas the other sports are more about the dog. It's YOUR job to think through the course, and plan something that will get you and the dog safely through the course without taking down any rails (or errantly plowing into equipement).

:D

Well, heck, this sounds just like showjumping with horses. Come to think of it, I'd bet agility is derived/patterned after horse jumping. I've never actually seen a real, live agility trial. Gotta get out to watch. Not ready to participate, yet.

[BostonRott]

There is a lot of agility that is horse-based, especially the infamous "change of leads, " and I don't mean leashes! :) That discussion always leaves bewildered handlers.

Dogs are a bit different in that their lower leg is more flexible than that of a horse, as is their spine. A horse's lower front leg bones are fused into one, and the horse can't rotate it's lower leg. If you hold your arm out in front of you, you can turn your hand from palm down to palm up without moving much of the rest of the arm. This is due to the rotation of the radius and ulna. Dogs have this too, horses don't. Therefore, jumping is a bit different for them physically. Also, a dog's spine is more flexible, and so the strides between the jumps aren't so critical.

I read something recently about show jumping and the riders pacing out the distance between the jumps. This blew my mind, it's hard enough trying to plan your course, the dog's course and how not to clothes-line yourself on the dogwalk without counting strides!! A lot of jumping in agility is about cueing the dog before the they actually take off that they will be turning afterwards, all done via body language. Non-agilty people are fascinated when I take Froli through an agility course without a word .... it's all about body language and it's just mind blowing to realize exactly how tuned into your body they are.

If you want to watch some cool agility, check out Animal Planet on Feb 9th at 8p Eastern (not sure what time on yer side of the world Marlene). They will have the AKC Agility Nationals on. Watch how the handler's turn their shoulders to direct the dogs, and how they set the line for the dog, such that they are often going into a jump already turning, vs. trying to slam a turn on landing. As I said, I LOVE the mental aspects of Agility, it truly is a blast!! :)

[fbkeays]

I really haven't done any agility- a couple of classes and have built equipment for barter. I am envolved in herding. I have been taking my dog(s) for practice for several years. I put HTs on two of them and recently put 2 HTs and a PT on a friend's collies. A couple of years ago the person that has the sheep ranch took pity on me and has handled Duncan since. She has put on a JHD, HSAs (all with placements), two legs of the HSAd(one with placement) and a HRDI (both with placements).
Duncan is talented, but the handling is what got him the placements. Judy has been able to set things up and make decisions that other handlers have not be able to or be sucessful. Herding is definately a handler's sport too. I am realizing just how difficult it is. I will be handling one of the collies in HRDI next weekend. Trying to get a dozen sheep through a free standing Y chute is no easy task:D

[Mum2Goliath]

I'm a new member and just wanted to tell you all how much I have enjoyed this thread.(you can read about how I came to have Goliath(my very first Rottie!) in the FUN STUFF forum/Chit Chat Corner under a thread titled "Just introducing us")
Goliath has some health issues we need to address first (like clearing up a mange and neutering -crypt orchid) and then we are starting with obedience classes.
I am going to watcht the AKC agility trials(is that what they are called?) on Animal Planet so I can get a better visual idea of what is involved but I think agility is something I would like to do with Goliath for fun mainly...actually I think it is something all my dogs would enjoy! I do have horses and do some small jumping so I thought it was interesting that the jumping the dogs in agility trials are patterned after equine show jumping....this site has been a great place for me to learn....
As far as the titles dogs can get...at this point I dont think either of us are ready for earning any titles and any AKC titles are definately out of our reach since Goliath was a stray.

Julie & Goliath