Shelties - Ottawa & Area

Been awhile since I last posted since we moved 4 years ago.  I no longer maintain our website.

I do however get regular requests for puppies, if not from folks wanting ones our old lines, then the names of kennels I know in my area.

My first suggested resource for Ontario in general is to go to the CSSA site https://www.canadianshelties.ca/ and contact the various directors for member referrals.

The local CKC breeders are

Laureate - Kim Aston 

Divine - Linda Labelle 

Kendale - Diane Biggar

Dury Voe - Judy Kelsey

Valley Gem - Bonnie Bird-Pappel

Velvetfog - Anne Brazeau

TLC - Tina King

Sharrow- Margaret Pratt (local resource for rescues)

All have websites, and are on Facebook either by name and/or kennel name.

A little update on me.  I’ve spent more time being able to work at agility with our ‘Ruffles’,  Shelamo Walk On Bi.  Covid has provided me with the time and ability to enjoy this outdoor sport with several classmates.  We’ve obtained 2 Q’s towards our starters jumpers. My first ever agility Q’s!

I was also able to teach Ruffles A bit of water safety, pool entry, and blowing bubbles while bobbing for treats thanks to Linda’s pool and the hot summer days  

I’ve helped breed and whelp two litters this spring, enjoyed outdoor socializing them, and doing puppy pics.

I’ve still been teaching dog obedience with the City of Ottawa however the fall course has now been cancelled due to moving back to a modified stage 2.  Here’s hoping we can reduce our covid numbers for a winter 2021 session. 

Stay safe.  Teach your dog something new that you can use in everyday life.

Read more...

CRUFTS 2014 - Various Events Are Now Youtube

Crufts - Youtube - Live

The above link will take you to all kinds of events going on right now at the World's Largest Dog Show.

Get inspired!

Read more...

Point Change by 1 - back to the classes - Now a New Champion!

Once you thought you knew it all, you learn something new.  This year as been the strangest for point errors, omissions, events out of every one's control ... that has made for several people I know going back to figure out their points, or continue on in the classes to gain the 10 points needed for a Canadian Championship.

It happened to us with our girl Shelamo Rais'n The Bar this past summer.  So, at the Cornwall Dog Show this past weekend, back to the classes we went.  On Friday we finished her with a Winners Female/Best of Opposite Sex.  YAH WHOOOO!  I will say this is pending CKC confirmation.
 

finishing under judge P. Pancel, over a special

the following day, under respected breeder judge Joann Pavey,

Best of Opposite over a Special for her 1st Grand Champion Point

with thanks, photo by Jane Maclaren

Last day, she was Best of Opposite again under judge Thora Brown

on the way home we stopped at Upper Canada Village and took a few pics

(albeit very hot & humid)

(photos taken by ML Davidson)

(Am/Cdn Ch Reinmaur's Firecraker ROMC x Shelamo Seriously Sinful)

Read more...

City Of Ottawa Fall Dog Obedience Classes

Hello to my fur friends living in and around Ottawa!

Have you thought about heading back to class this fall?  Interested in being a better Canine Neighbour?  Seeing some of your furry friends and having some personal time with just you and your 'mom' or 'dad'?

Well it's time to start staring at that owner of yours and getting them to hop to signing up for dog classes!

 

HELLO???!!!  Are you LISTENING to these brown eyes?

Please, Please, can we go to dog class so I can learn and see my friends?

 

outside @ Ron Kolbus Lakeside Gardens Centre, Britannia Beach area by the Ottawa River

(north west Ottawa)

inside @ Glen Cairn Community Centre - Kanata

outside @ Glen Cairn Community Center - Kanata

Where you ask?  When, what time?  Here are a couple of options ....

Lakeside Gardens - Fall is September 23 to December 2nd - Level 1 @ 6:45, Level 2 @ 8pm

Glen Cairn - Fall is September 18th to November 27th - Level 1 @ 6pm, Level 2 @ 7:15 pm

Any dog over 4 months that has had their rabies vaccination can attend a Level 1 course.  Students must have completed a Level 1 course at one of these locations to attend the Level 2. (or speak to the course instructor to qualify)

Where to register ?

The City of Ottawa website - http://ottawa.ca/en/serviceottawa/recreation-and-culture/classes-and-activities-recreation-registration - click on Register, and search for dog obedience for the bar code  you require and then follow the on-line requirements.

Or visit any Recreation Centre or Client Services Centre - link here to find locations.

Hope to see many of you out for some fun learning times, and socialization in a new environment!

YIPPEE SAYS YOUR DOG,

WE'RE OFF TO LEARN AND HAVE FUN!

Read more...

City of Ottawa - Dog Obedience

Whatcha doing with your puppy/dog this spring?  Have you considered spending just one hour a week in a dog obedience class?  Spending some one-on-one time, and teaching them some of the basics to become good neighbourhood canine citizens?

Or do you just want to hone your skills that you've already taught them? and make sure you're not contributing to unwanted behaviours?

The City of Ottawa offers several locations/nights where you can do just that.

Check it out - ottawa.ca .... follow links for Register or start here ...http://ottawa.ca/en/serviceottawa/recreation-and-culture/classes-and-activities-recreation-registration - and plug in April 1, 2013, and search on dog obedience.

How good is your RECALL?

 

 If weather is good - we train outdoors - dogs doing long sit/downs

 

 Dress up days - you never know when you'll have to put something on your dog!

 ever think your dog would sit still beside another? with practice & distractions they can!

Read more...

Vaccination Information

Duration Study On Immunity to Canine Vaccinations

You might be interested in viewing this link

Vaccination Durations

Read more...

the Yellow Dog Project

The Yellow Dog Project

Some people just don't listen when you ask them to keep their distance from your dog.  Maybe this might start a conversation that they will mind your request.

Read more...

How Do People Perceive Your Dog's Name

An article by Dr. Stanley Coren

Over my year of breeding it is interesting the names people come up with for their dogs.

One of the best ones I heard of, years ago, was a sheltie rescue I took in - his name was "Sheltie"!  It really didn't have a meaning for me other than the lack of imagination, (the kids named him) and that likely the sheltie was just a dog for the kids with no consideration for teaching their kids about dogs in general.

Your Dog's Name and People's Perception

Read more...

Kids and Dogs

Just common sense.  The biggest one I tell my customers with kids is the crate one.  That is their safe place, always!  Small children usually need help in keeping feet 'quiet' and using their 'inside voice'.

Children should always be supervised when around any dog.

Read more...

Vaccinations - Yes? No?

 An Inexpensive Tool To Reduce Pet Vaccination


Check out this article on this website page to learn a tad bit more on all the goings on regarding what you can question regarding the vaccination of your dog.  One important fact too, is to understand your breed.

Dogs Naturally Magazine

I've read, and have heard of at least 2 shelties that the diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, occurred not long after vaccine boosters at middle age.  More and more research seems to be pointing us in the direction of over vaccination, which specifically has resulted in the Canine Rabies Challenge Fund.

Education on your pet's health is the first step.  I'm no expert, just always learning.  Science is moving at such a fast pace these days.

Also, for those of you in the Ottawa area, I can tell you there has already been an increase in the number of ticks found on dogs.  So if you're out in the woods, or even long grass don't forget to do a constant check on your dog.  Ticks can especially be found around the neck, ears, face and belly.  I understand right now that there is a 4 week backlog in getting the tick you find on your dog analyzed due to the high volume being seen.

Read more...

Dogs and Kids ~ Learning As They Go

These pictures came via a client of ours who owns one of our dogs that is 1.5 yrs old now. The fun to be had by all after Xmas presents are opened.

Now you tell me, who's teaching who?

You spin 1st ... ah, ha, the blue, wouldn't you say!
and we do it how?

by george I think we've got it ... we'll both start on the blue

Is this how we do it? I hit it 1st, does that mean I won?!

Oh, so the Twister game is over? Now on to skate boarding? Isn't that a summer sport?

I think I can figure this one out ... easy does it!

Now how cute is that?! Thanks Karen, these are priceless pictures.

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...

Are You Prepared to be Skunked?

If you meet one of these ... probably it will be last potty call at 10 pm or so, when your dog comes
face to face with one! Likely you're not prepared, but then what are you to do, other than panic, if your dog, and maybe you get sprayed? It's certainly not a pretty sight, or should I say smell.
First off, let's try to prevent this kind of incident from happening all together. Make sure you take your dog out on lead and carry a flashlight ... a) you'd like to keep your dog from putting his nose where you don't want it to go, and b) you just might see the light from their eyes, or the white stripe. Skunks only spray if they feel threatened.

However, if it happens what is one to do? Well, at 10 pm you're probably not prepared, right? or maybe after reading this Blog, and you're in an area where you could come into contact with them, you just might have some items on hand.

If you have none of the so called 'skunk-off' products, you can try going to your vet and finding their outside drop off box as they are usually kind enough to leave a bottle there for emergencies. Otherwise, you need to find a safe haven for your dog, out of the house ... like the garage. If you've crate trained your dog, here's a time when it would come in handy. Leaving your dog on a porch or deck, in their crate would also work. The key is to remember that where ever the dog has the skunk's oils on them it will transfer everywhere.

So what can you have on hand. In asking on FB and searching the web there are a couple of tried and true suggestions. Most people haven't found the store bought products to work well as they'd hoped.

This is one, and we can all keep it on hand at a minimal cost.

Take 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (available from any drugstore), 1/4 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate for you science types) and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap, such as Ivory. Mix in a bucket and immediately apply to the stinky pet. Rinse thoroughly with tap water.

*Warning*

This mixture can be explosive, as it will fizz and creates pressure if it is enclosed in a seal tight container. Never store unused portion, always discard. Be sure to only mix in an open container and do not try to store or cover it in any way. Do not get the mixture into the dog's eyes, nose or mouth.

Another one I was told worked well for them was the clear Ivory dish soap. Wet, lather well & rinse.

And the last one, believe it or not are the feminine hygiene douches! Yep, can you see a man buying a box of it at 11pm at a Shopper's Drug Mart? along with some candles? I've had more than one reply of similar nature :) but those that have tried it say it does work.

One key to remember is the skunk's oils transfer everywhere, have I said that already?! So change your clothes to old ones, use paper towels to soak up any oils you can 1st. Remember, that as you wash the dog the oils transfer from the affected area, so 1st work the skunked area well before doing the rest of the dog. Most often the face is involved, so one must be careful around the eyes. Use an old face cloth, sponge, or paper towels to clean this area - remember you are going to be throwing these things out!

Be prepared, and be alert at night, especially if you're in unknown territory, such as a camping.

Good luck, if this happens to happen to your dog.

Read more...

Spring Graduating Class

Had a great group of students for my Level 1 spring class at one of the community centres I teach at. They all showed remarkable improvement during the 10 wk course, and with the great weather we had at the end we were able to do some distraction training outdoors.

Willow, Bryn, Cooper, Rocky & Buddy

missing this nite was Cowboy

Read more...

Two Plus Weeks At sPawDays - What A Change

During Xmas we had a full house of boarders, one being this Bichon Frise. He came in with a coat quite clumped up, and in need of a good grooming .. his owners were well aware and were frightened to take him to one of the local grooming places as last time they shaved him to the skin even tho the length they wanted had been discussed prior. With the Xmas rush and preparing to go away, plus the snow we've had (which yes mats the hair big time!), they hadn't had the time to keep him up. So ... I asked ... would you mind if I gave it a shot? I don't own clippers, so no shaving! and I'd like to do more of a 'show trim' on him. I got the go ahead.
Here's how he started out. What one has to remember is as you brush a coat (hair not fur) like this out it 'grows'! and I mean grows .... So bit, by bit hour by hour, day by day I worked on him.

As I brushed him out, I trimmed as he just had so much hair. Here he's pictured after about 6 hours of work.

Come'on enough pics already!

(swear I must have taken some 100 shots thru the whole process)

Now we're getting down to D-Day, the day before he's to leave. I've got him down to a more manageable length, most of the clumps out so it's time for the bath and a good conditioner to work out what's left.
Blow drying is a different story on this kind of hair. My high powered dryer doesn't do the same kind of job as it does on the shelties! This meant switching up, and using a regular hair dryer. (remember this is a totally new breed for me to do!) The more his hair dried, the LONGER it got! Sheesh! I thought I'd trimmed a lot to start with? As you can see he loved the pampering.
Finally ... after starting @ 10 am, breaks here and there, brushing, more trimming, more brushing, trimming, I finished him up later that evening and I think he looks pretty spiffy for his owners.
Here's a full view of him. If you go back and look at his original pic it doesn't look like too much length was taken off, but I'd say upwards of 2" has been trimmed. I didn't want to drastically change his overall look, but even at this length both his owners & I feel we could go shorter so his love for playing in the snow doesn't tangle his coat up any more than necessary.

Needless to say, his owners were ECSTATIC with how he looked.

Humm .... I think I'd give myself 2 Paws up too!

Read more...

What's Your Dog Doing This Winter?

It's more often cold here in Ottawa through the months of January-March and for many humans & their dogs, time outside gets limited. Why not get inside for an hour a week? get some mental stimulation for your dog, exercise, socialization and great bonding time. You're dog will become so excited when they learn about that last turn towards their dog obedience class! They'll learn when those 'special' clothes come out, the treats/bag, maybe that special training lead/collar.

There is never a time one shouldn't take the time to 'train' and keep your dog's mind active. Classes can teach you so much more each and every time as there is no end to both you and your canine learning, or reinforcing some of those things you've been lax on.

In the City of Ottawa there are many community centres that offer various levels of dog obedience classes. You can follow this link, put in dog obedience in the advanced search area & click on ALL to see where they are being held & what night. Level 1 courses are for dogs old enough to have received their rabies vaccination.

Classes start SOON - starting next week! So considering it and signing up quickly is necessary.

http://apps102.ottawa.ca/Activities/Activities.asp?SCheck=571367567&SDT=40548.5076388889

My Level 1 class @ Howl-o-ween at the Glen Cairn Community Centre in Kanata

Questions - send me an email!

Read more...

Kingston Sheep Herding & Dock Dogs

In Kingston, Ont Aug 6-8th, there was the 23rd Annual Sheep Dog Trials. They also held Dock Dogs - that's where the dog's run & jump off a high dock after their fav toy into a large pool. Other demos included the Kingston Police K-9's; flyball, agility, sheep shearing & how young dog's get started in trialing. There were all kinds of booths, doggie items, alpaca & sheep wool items, wood items, handmade hats, doggie treats, and of course human treats.
I went down with Maryl0ou arriving late morning. We were able to see one run of the 15 that qualified over the last few days (out of 113) before the lunch break. Their runs were more complicated and had 20 sheep vs 5 they dealt with on the other days. At 1pm they started up again. I've selected a few (humm turning out to be more than a few!) of the 100+ pics I took to give you some idea of the size, complexity, and how the dog's work, just by a whistle from their handler at a distance, and voice when closer in.

At the beginning of the lunch break there was an auction of 5 different shawls that had been made the previous day. There were 4 woman that took 4 hours to do each.


These two woman bid the highest and won the ones you see them with.


OK .. now on to the sheep herding. I have witnessed this before for CKC & AKC herding titles, altho in a much MUCH smaller arena, and with a lot of shelties competing. The main one was when we put on the Cdn Shetland Sheepdog Asso's National here in Ottawa.


CSSA National 2006, Ottawa -the back red fencing gives you an idea of the depth of the ring.

Now here's the 'ring' size this past weekend .... this is looking out to the right ...
If you look way past the white fence on the right you can just spot a lighter green object - that's a large umbrella where they would bring out the 1st group of sheep.

Here the dog is going on the outrun to gather the sheep on the left. The handler can not leave their post. The dog has to have a lot of trust in their handler that there are indeed sheep, somewhere out there.

Command here is 'walk up"

Now the dog, with the handler whistling commands, guides the dog to bring the sheep through the two fences.

Once the sheep are on the move towards the handler, the dog is sent back out to another group that are on the far right of the field. With the field having small rolling hills many times the dog can't even see where the sheep are and is running 'blind', following the whistle of the handler.
Which way MOM????!!!! Where are they??? Are you sure they are out there??

Command here is "Away to me"

Now you can see the pole where the handler stands; the dog has gathered the 20 sheep and must move them between the handler's pole and one other that is just outside the picture to the left.

Command here 'steady' and 'come by'.

Dog's not done yet!! Now they have to move the flock out to the middle of the field, turn left and head to the far side where there are 2 more fences that they have to move them through, make a hard left turn and bring them back across the field on the left of the handler to the center ring.

Here they are coming back from going thru the fence.

"Steady"

Once the dog & handler have the 20 sheep in the center ring - it's down a bit from the rest of the ground, mowed down, and you can see small piles of shavings which denote the edges.

The goal now is for dog & handler to shed off the sheep that do not have the red collars! This one the handler was having a real darn hard time with ONE sheep - red arrow. Do you think it would get to the outside of the group, nope, it continued to stay in the middle of its herd. She tried, we watch and the time ticked down on the clock. They have 25 minutes to complete all of this.

Although it was an over cast day, it drizzled a bit late in the day, the hard working dogs needed a break to cool off, so they knew where the kiddie pool was, and in no uncertain terms told their handler 'just a minute!!! have to dunk myself.'

"That'll do"

This was the last dog we watched. There was one real stubborn, ornery sheep; she baaa'd just about the whole time, calling to her 'friend' that had already been shed off and was now off over the hill in the shed pen.

Once the handler takes hold of the 6' rope on the pen they can't let go until the sheep are in and the gate is closed. You can see how this dog is just holding its position, that ornery sheep is pounding the ground ..'nope you back off!!!', 'no you get in there!'. Bit by bit they backed up into the pen ... it was anxious moments .....

some 4 mins according to my camera times. They did it with around 6 mins to spare. A very nice run - the crowd gave her a big round of applause, and it was a BIG crowd there too.

I said the rain held off during the trials, however on the way home it POURED! Coming through Smiths Falls the sewers couldn't handle it all. At a red light, I captured this moment of it 'bubbling' up through the man cover.

I must admit I got shivers watching these dogs work, the outruns the dogs did were with extreme conviction. Their commitment to continuing to work, no matter what the sheep threw at them was something to behold. Although I may not figure out how to find the time ... maybe not doing herding .... I'd like to do more higher level obedience & agility training with some of my dogs.

Read more...