A Naming Game - Tic, Tac and now, Toe

Long time sheltie clients of ours have now completed their next generation of agility stars. Their interest in agility started back in 1997 when they purchased their 1st sheltie from us, Shelamo English Rose (and yes, as her name implies, she left with them the day Lady Di passed away).

Their 2nd sheltie from us is "Tic", she's a small tri girl, that is just eating up the agility rings.

"Tic" and owner Jack in 2009

"Tac" their 2nd dog is a Papillion.

And now, they've completed their naming game with "Toe". He was over to have his ears redone, so I took the opportunity to capture a few shots of him. He's just coming up 16 wks.

He is sired by our BPIS Ch Shelamo's Riding The Sky HIC (who is also working in agility with owner Linda Howie) out of our girl Ch Shelamo That's Amore.

We're hoping he follows in his father's paw prints.

Read more...

Showing - Full of Laughs & Good Times

I'm tardy in putting this post up ... just one of those weeks.

It was a fun show, last weekend in Ste Foy, Quebec. Marylou and I went for a 3+ day excursion starting out late in the day. It was about a 5.5 hr drive, with the weather on the way down hot and humid. Through Montreal we came across a couple of construction zones, seeing these signs ... to us, it meant 'suck it in' ... tummy tucks that is, so we were hoping we'd have flat stomachs by the time we'd finished ... nope.
There were 2 shows on the Friday, with our MPBIS MPBISS Ch Shelamo Flash Forward garnering another Best Puppy In Group and a Grp 3rd under judge E. Wild. Her sister Shelamo Deja Vu was Reserve Winners Bitch. In the afternoon show "Breeze" won another Best of Breed/Best Puppy.

Best Puppy in Group Presentation

Saturday, it was again very hot and humid ... guess pushing 37C or so. I got asked in the morning by Jodie of Treasure Coast, if one of our girls could be used for juniors for their son Justin. I knew "Breeze" would be a breeze (ha, ha) at that! I was proud of how my girl, still a puppy, handled herself with a total stranger, someone she'd only met an hour or so before juniors.

Justin & "Breeze" in his classes' line-up.

She never let up showing for him.

On our previous trip past Quebec City we'd eyed the Montmorency Falls Park, so we decided to head there Saturday after the show, maybe even get some lovely pics of the girls there.

On our way there, this is what we followed ....

how's that for an escort?!

Well, much to our surprise there was a BIG event going on - a fireworks display! There were cops, barricades, parking restrictions, parking attendants, no parking signs on the upper town area .... so after driving around to try and find, even a spot to view them from above we gave up. The weird thing was, that in our travels around the streets above, and OH MY, were there some beautiful homes overlooking the river ... didn't we see this Official Pace car (or one just like it) sitting in a driveway! The owners of the home could be seen sitting out in their enclosed patio, so I dared not take a pic.
This was our set up, nice and dry, mostly shaded for the day, right next to the obedience/rally rings. So we got to watch a lot of exhibitors go thru their paces. There was one young girl, just 9 yrs old with her Cavalier who achieved 2 qualifying legs for her Pre Novice. She got a great round of applause .... I still remember those days myself. Sunday, it was a totally different story ... it rained, and rained. Luckily it was just a drizzle when we were packing up, however it still meant stuff had to be dried out on Monday.

Another show trip over with, washing done, equipment dried out.

"Breeze" in the Juniors ring

After this weekend, she is now ranked #2 Sheltie Puppy (2 BPIS, 9 BPIG) and #9th overall Sheltie
We're proud of this girl's accomplishments.
(according to Best Dog In Canada & Canuck Dogs)

Read more...

Dog Obedience - Time To Think What To Do

It's time to think of fall dog obedience classes. Do you have a 4-6 month old pup that you need that extra help in getting them under control? Are they still pulling you down the street? Not coming when called? Maybe it's time to get some help.

Many of the obedience classes, especially in my area of the City of Ottawa, start up in September.

my Level 1 spring class @ Glen Cairn Community Center does well enough with distractions to start to work outdoors

The City of Ottawa has gone Green, and thus there is no longer a printed guide. The guide is now on-line here at

ottawa.ca/recreationguide

Go to the Adult Program/Sports and scroll down to page 29 where you will see all the classes offered in the Ottawa area.

Why train? It not only gives you and your dog a one-on-one time to enjoy each others company, but it also gives you and your dog a more consistent way of understanding one another. Dogs want to please, and we need to show them how. You and your dog also work at becoming a good neighbour, and in this world where we are living closer and closer to one another, we must show others our dogs can be well behaved in public.

If you've completed Level 1, consider the advanced distraction and off leash work that is done in the 2nd level. Learn more about your dog's behaviour in various situations in a secured indoor environment, and then, how do you control them.

Level 1 - distracted outside heeling

we make it fun for all at Halloween too!

No dog is too old to learn, to be able to spend dedicated time with their owner, to exercise their mind and just get out and go somewhere they know they will have fun.

What have you done with your dog today?

Read more...