Presentations to scout groups recently were on our canines' calendar. We took both to my sister's Girl Scout troop and Cub Scout pack meetings - on the same day! Afternoon with the GS, dinner with cousins and then to the cub pack. Too long a day for Amanda's energy level; she did the minimum by evening. Dogs enjoyed almost everything - except crate confinement while we ate dinner.
The girls in Amanda's troop are older so I discussed therapy dog visits as well as other dog activities - agility, rally, etc and we talked about dog training. Both Noche and River did tricks. River was in his element and Noche handled the attention quite well. I discovered that I can talk about dog activities for quite a long time LOL
Kept it a bit shorter for the younger boys - a little intro about therapy and activities and right into demos using volunteers. Finished up with a line for each dog as all the scouts and some family members got a turn to greet each dog and have them do a trick - although River was a bit sick of play dead by the end and I had to take that off his repertoire near the end. Noche only had to "boing" to be a hit there!
Used a chair as a walker to demonstrate walking with a dog. Made a tunnel with a child leaning agaisnt a physio ball so River could do under and then holding a hula hoop for jumping - using as many volunteers as we could. Had to limit jumping because of the slippery floor.
This week I visited a Brownie GS troop with River, along with 3 other KPETS teams. The previous experience gave me some confidence about this presentation. I knew River would do his part, as long as I could handle the talking. Amanda was originally planning to participate, but got a last-minute babysitting job. As this was an official KPETS visit, Noche was not eligible to go; certainly I couldn't take both dogs anyway.
They had seen the KPETS video just beforehand ( although it's been over a year for me, so I had to wing that part), so I reviewed very basic info. Then talked about other dog activities. Golden owner mentioned breed ring and demonstrated "stacking"; Rottie owner explained carting (no demo), other team has a St Bernard. She coordinated the visit as her daughter is in the troop. Other teams fairly new to KPETS, so I got the talking gig. And River is a great demo dog. Touched on rally, obedience, agility, freestyle in the demo. Mentioned other acitivities, too - used a helpful KPETS-provided outline that I expanded. Tried to use volunteers for similar demos as with the Cub Scouts. Wish I had remembered to have "posts" for a figure 8 heeling - next time?
Interesting difference between Cub Scouts and Brownies appraoch to the dogs - the boys wanted to individually give them a command to do a trick and reward with a treat - the girls mostly wanted to crowd around and pet the dogs - River enjoyed both types of attention.
Allergy notes - the peanut butter game suggested in the outline was a no-no due to peanut allergies; we also banned peanutbutter flavored dog treats. There were also 3 Brownies allergic to dogs who were not allowed to get close and pet - one was quite tearful. I did have River do a trick for her that she could tell him from a little distance using a hand signal. One girl insisted that she could pet the hypoallergenic coated one - River, so I think she pulled that off. When we took a group shot - carefully separating the dogs with Brownies in between, one girl asked me about Shih Tsus and beamed when I told her they have coats that don't shed.
This was our second presentation event with another team, since the - "maintain a distance between dogs" ruling. I do prefer that. I must admit there was some growling when certain dogs got too close. With age, River has gotten less tolerant of dogs in his face. (although, he wasn't the one growling).
It was great to have a variety of breeds represented and others to share their experiences as well.
I had also done a Daisy scout meeting at Patty's a while ago - before we even had Noche. That was an outdoor meeting, which made it even easier to do demonstrations.
Dog, treats in pouch, water for dog, his vest, leash, hula hoops, kids tunnel, exercise ball. I've also taken a step stool, toys ( although River usually will not retrieve at these - go figure?), toy piano, balloon on a string, target, extra leash. Music and a freestyle routine would be something to add. I did have River off leash for some - jumping, freestyle, tunnel - he was extremely well behaved - of course, I had food. And he always gets a laugh when he makes a mistake - should actually plan that into the presentation. And some nosework would be fun, too.
He does get a little demanding initially if he isn't getting treats fast enough! he is excited and eager, whining in the car when we arrive, but he did lay down and chill when I was talking for a while or someone else was talking, smart dog!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Playing CatchUp
Seems to be a common pattern in blogs, enthusiasm and frequent entries, then dwindling posts, a break and hopefully, a return with renewed energy.
Noche and River are both still training in agility; private lessons with Karen Sage. We also added classes at Flexible Flyers Agility in Honeybrook for a while. Amanda's health issues have necessitated a break from those for the moment. They were certainly a valuable learning environment. Both dogs had an adjustment to make dealing with a new location and other dogs. It is especially challenging in the cooler weather; classes are held in a 4H building, unheated, mostly dirt floor and port-a-potties ( Amanda dislikes!) and did I mention the 45 minute drive? Classes are a reasonable size, but of necessity, there is taking turns for runs, so it is scheduled as an hour and a half class time. Excellent teacher and lots of experienced competitors, although she was in an advanced beginner class. I'm optimistic that she'll get back to it, perhaps in warmer weather?
She discontinued the Novice Obedience class she disliked - preferring when she can talk to the dog, not the style of traditional competition. River has also enjoyed some classes in Nosework at Wendy's.
Our other adventure was attending a flyball tournament in York where we got a tutorial from Kim & Eric and watched several of their teams run. Lively atmosphere is an understatement! Amanda was interested enough that we took Noche to one of their team practices. He did pretty well after some adjusting to the new location. It was an eventful practice with one injury to a team member - no gloves and a dog caught her hand. Amanda decided against further participation at this time. Health constraints, combined with a full schedule, and again, a long evening drive to the location ( although they do have heat and real bathrooms). Not ruling it out for the future - Noche would really love it, in my opinion.
Noche is making progress in Rally. Also improving his focus overall. Still some challenges with reactive barking. Amanda contends he is fearful of big black dogs and so barks at them. We are also working on getting him comfortable with new people; getting better there, too. Maybe we'll make a therapy dog of him yet!
Noche and River are both still training in agility; private lessons with Karen Sage. We also added classes at Flexible Flyers Agility in Honeybrook for a while. Amanda's health issues have necessitated a break from those for the moment. They were certainly a valuable learning environment. Both dogs had an adjustment to make dealing with a new location and other dogs. It is especially challenging in the cooler weather; classes are held in a 4H building, unheated, mostly dirt floor and port-a-potties ( Amanda dislikes!) and did I mention the 45 minute drive? Classes are a reasonable size, but of necessity, there is taking turns for runs, so it is scheduled as an hour and a half class time. Excellent teacher and lots of experienced competitors, although she was in an advanced beginner class. I'm optimistic that she'll get back to it, perhaps in warmer weather?
She discontinued the Novice Obedience class she disliked - preferring when she can talk to the dog, not the style of traditional competition. River has also enjoyed some classes in Nosework at Wendy's.
Our other adventure was attending a flyball tournament in York where we got a tutorial from Kim & Eric and watched several of their teams run. Lively atmosphere is an understatement! Amanda was interested enough that we took Noche to one of their team practices. He did pretty well after some adjusting to the new location. It was an eventful practice with one injury to a team member - no gloves and a dog caught her hand. Amanda decided against further participation at this time. Health constraints, combined with a full schedule, and again, a long evening drive to the location ( although they do have heat and real bathrooms). Not ruling it out for the future - Noche would really love it, in my opinion.
Noche is making progress in Rally. Also improving his focus overall. Still some challenges with reactive barking. Amanda contends he is fearful of big black dogs and so barks at them. We are also working on getting him comfortable with new people; getting better there, too. Maybe we'll make a therapy dog of him yet!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
After Rally
Now that River has earned his Rally Excellent, what next for training? There is a higher level that can be earned by qualifying in both Advanced and Excellent at a show ten times. Amanda is not interested in pursuing this; fine by me. So she is starting Noche in a Beginning Rally class Thursday. River is in a Novice Obedience class; Amanda says she does not want to compete, but is interested in learning to train some of the skills. Directed retrieving, drop on recall could be fun in therapy work and she can just learn more about training in general.
Last weekend we attended an agility trial at In The Net, Palmyra, and she really wants to compete in agility next. Her agility teacher thinks that River can be ready for Novice level soon. She also think Noche, with some control - he has none now - has the potential to do well in agility - he is speedy. She has been out this summer with health issues and Amanda has missed her; first time back for River only tomorrow. Let's see what he remembers. Weave poles, hmmm?
Last weekend we attended an agility trial at In The Net, Palmyra, and she really wants to compete in agility next. Her agility teacher thinks that River can be ready for Novice level soon. She also think Noche, with some control - he has none now - has the potential to do well in agility - he is speedy. She has been out this summer with health issues and Amanda has missed her; first time back for River only tomorrow. Let's see what he remembers. Weave poles, hmmm?
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Quiet OT Schreiber Visits
River has been visiting in the OT dept, working with an 11 year old girl, a friend of ours, who is suffering from selective mutism. She talks at home to her family, but not to other people in general, at least adults. She has not spoken to the therapist or student interns at Schreiber. I believe that she sometimes uses sign language with them, but not consistently. Her older sister is friends with Amanda, and she sees Bernie (Occupational Therapist, whom we met at Schreiber, when we were visiting Pink Girl in PT.) She has been to our house and likes the dogs; enjoys having them do tricks for her and she usually talks to Amanda, if I am not present. So we suggested that River and Amanda might be a good addition to her OT therapy.
I wish I could say that the desire to have River do tricks got her to speak to him, but it's not true. She has interacted with River using hand signals - darn dog knows nonverbal signals for all tricks and actually responds better to those most times. I usually stay out of the area and let Amanda handle River. She has said a few words to Amanda when the therapist steps away. She has spoken to Amanda and her sister over Skype. She did speak to me once when here, when she needed a bandaid and Amanda/sister refused to ask for her.
The therapist has been very inventive. She understands working with a dog. They have used obstacle courses, running with a scooter, both put handprint/pawprint on the wall. She has also incorporated her own young daughter over the summer. There has been laughter and participation in the activities, but not speaking. So far.
I wish I could say that the desire to have River do tricks got her to speak to him, but it's not true. She has interacted with River using hand signals - darn dog knows nonverbal signals for all tricks and actually responds better to those most times. I usually stay out of the area and let Amanda handle River. She has said a few words to Amanda when the therapist steps away. She has spoken to Amanda and her sister over Skype. She did speak to me once when here, when she needed a bandaid and Amanda/sister refused to ask for her.
The therapist has been very inventive. She understands working with a dog. They have used obstacle courses, running with a scooter, both put handprint/pawprint on the wall. She has also incorporated her own young daughter over the summer. There has been laughter and participation in the activities, but not speaking. So far.
New Trial Visit - Fail
Cancellation that we didn't know about, no Pinkie ( Amanda's preferred name for pink Girl), so we asked if anyone else wanted a dog visit. An OT with a young autistic? boy took us up on the offer, so we crammed into a small room, with her, him , both parents and the 3 of us.
We had met dad and son briefly in the waiting area just beforehand and boy had not been willing to approach River and shown only a little interest, being more fascinated by the water fountain. River did very well with the situation, not even fazed when a chair fell over.
However, it soon became obvious, despite our efforts as well as River's, his parents and the OT, that he was not making much of a connection with the dog. Actually, he did pet him once, which his mom felt was significant. However, we bowed out after a bit. We sometimes see him when we are there for other visits, but he is unwilling to look at, touch or come close to River.
We had met dad and son briefly in the waiting area just beforehand and boy had not been willing to approach River and shown only a little interest, being more fascinated by the water fountain. River did very well with the situation, not even fazed when a chair fell over.
However, it soon became obvious, despite our efforts as well as River's, his parents and the OT, that he was not making much of a connection with the dog. Actually, he did pet him once, which his mom felt was significant. However, we bowed out after a bit. We sometimes see him when we are there for other visits, but he is unwilling to look at, touch or come close to River.
Encore the Festival - KPETS Info Booth
KPETS info booth at various events help to raise awareness of KPETS activities - and sometimes even a few funds - there's a donation jar and some items for sale. We've taken a time slot at several of these. Good to bring a chair and water & snacks for people and dogs, along with the ubiquitous poop bags. Usually have River wear his KPETS vest or bandana. Noche sometimes gets to come, depending on the venue, as a therapy-dog-in-training. The socialization opportunity is good for him.
Encore the Festival was very lightly attended, at least during our time slot, and reportedly for most others. However, it was the first year. There certainly was a lot of planning put into it - lots of big tents, organized schedule in multiple venues, performers, artists, food, demos, etc. The big draw was likely to be the evening concert and that may be why the daytime activities feel somewhat flat.
We entertained when we could, having River run through some rally and freestyle exercises could draw a small crowd. We also got to meet the other KPETS Portie and her owner. So not a total waste of time and maybe we spread the word, planted a seed that will flourish later.
Encore the Festival was very lightly attended, at least during our time slot, and reportedly for most others. However, it was the first year. There certainly was a lot of planning put into it - lots of big tents, organized schedule in multiple venues, performers, artists, food, demos, etc. The big draw was likely to be the evening concert and that may be why the daytime activities feel somewhat flat.
We entertained when we could, having River run through some rally and freestyle exercises could draw a small crowd. We also got to meet the other KPETS Portie and her owner. So not a total waste of time and maybe we spread the word, planted a seed that will flourish later.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Rally Excellent!
July 28 -31, Bloomsburg,PA, Mt Laurel Cluster
Our first away-from-home/hotel dog show experience was a success. River now has his Rally Excellent title. And we learned many lessons that weekend, not all pertaining to the ring experience.
Had to travel Thursday evening since the walk-through was at 8:45 and it was a 2 1/2 hr drive; traveling in the wee hours would not have worked. Drove first through thunderstorms and then fog, so that was an adventure itself. Discovered that River does not stay quietly in a crate in a hotel room, so that added stress and made it a challenge to enjoy our meals out. He handled everything else well; cooperative about being exercised, enjoyed joining us on the bed, of course. He was ok in his crate at the show; we did leave him a few times there and he only protested briefly once. The vendors were outside of the buildings, so no AC for them. We let River enjoy the very strong AC in the obedienece building while we shopped, etc. Food vendor and restrooms also outside. Turned out our room had a fridge, so we hit Walmart to get snacks and lunch supplies. Packing your own is the way to go.
So, how did his rally runs go? - well, Amanda had been diligently working on the trouble spots, especially not losing his attention at the beginning and not laying down on the "sit" during honor. And had gotten him to be way more reliable on those. Still, he lost points for laying down on the sit, out of position on first exercise and sniffing those stuffed toy distractions on figure eight. However, 93 the first day was a 3rd place, 97 the last day was first place, merely qualifed second day with 77. This was the time he broke the stay and Amanda did a sign wrong (paused too long on moving down and around, so pretty picky but cost 10 pts and I think he hit the jump that day too.) He really was awesome that last day; they looked so good together and friendly judge said she wished she could have given a 100. Still we were all pretty tired and wanting to go home, so couldn't wait until she was available for a photo. The other thing we learned was that Noche didn't handle the separation well. He gave Cara a rough time searching for Amanda, refusing to settle and sleep,protesting loudly, despite all her efforts. So another lesson learned.
And there is another level of Rally title - it requires qualifying in both Advanced and Excellent at 10 shows!! We decided to pass on that. Amanda is giving a Novice obedience class a try with River and a Performance Foundation class with Noche. And hoping for a return to agility training soon!
Our first away-from-home/hotel dog show experience was a success. River now has his Rally Excellent title. And we learned many lessons that weekend, not all pertaining to the ring experience.
Had to travel Thursday evening since the walk-through was at 8:45 and it was a 2 1/2 hr drive; traveling in the wee hours would not have worked. Drove first through thunderstorms and then fog, so that was an adventure itself. Discovered that River does not stay quietly in a crate in a hotel room, so that added stress and made it a challenge to enjoy our meals out. He handled everything else well; cooperative about being exercised, enjoyed joining us on the bed, of course. He was ok in his crate at the show; we did leave him a few times there and he only protested briefly once. The vendors were outside of the buildings, so no AC for them. We let River enjoy the very strong AC in the obedienece building while we shopped, etc. Food vendor and restrooms also outside. Turned out our room had a fridge, so we hit Walmart to get snacks and lunch supplies. Packing your own is the way to go.
So, how did his rally runs go? - well, Amanda had been diligently working on the trouble spots, especially not losing his attention at the beginning and not laying down on the "sit" during honor. And had gotten him to be way more reliable on those. Still, he lost points for laying down on the sit, out of position on first exercise and sniffing those stuffed toy distractions on figure eight. However, 93 the first day was a 3rd place, 97 the last day was first place, merely qualifed second day with 77. This was the time he broke the stay and Amanda did a sign wrong (paused too long on moving down and around, so pretty picky but cost 10 pts and I think he hit the jump that day too.) He really was awesome that last day; they looked so good together and friendly judge said she wished she could have given a 100. Still we were all pretty tired and wanting to go home, so couldn't wait until she was available for a photo. The other thing we learned was that Noche didn't handle the separation well. He gave Cara a rough time searching for Amanda, refusing to settle and sleep,protesting loudly, despite all her efforts. So another lesson learned.
And there is another level of Rally title - it requires qualifying in both Advanced and Excellent at 10 shows!! We decided to pass on that. Amanda is giving a Novice obedience class a try with River and a Performance Foundation class with Noche. And hoping for a return to agility training soon!
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