Announcing the opening of K9FUNdamentals' Online Store!

Toys & Essentials for Performance Dogs!

Specializing in interactive toys of all kinds. Tug toys, toss'n'treat toys, fleece, fur, jute, French linen, leather, plush, sheepskin. Motivational toys for Schutzhund, obedience, agility, flyball, fun. Also leashes, collars, frisbees, buckets, shade & cooling, beds. Coming soon: General Cage crates and exercise pens.

Check it out at http://www.k9fundamentals.com

Danno Ot Vitosha

One of my favorite dogs of all time, Danno ot Vitosha, passed away on Thursday this week. His owner, Anne Camper, arrived home to find that he had died in his kennel some time during the day. A necropsy later that evening revealed the issues with his heart... none of which could have been diagnosed under normal vet checks, etc. He was about 10 1/2.

Danno did darn near anything you'd ask of him. He was my first exposure to what really classy heeling looked like. I take little credit and all of any blame for his bitework. The dog always came right down the middle, and I just wasn't good enough to catch him to one side; he knew it, and revelled in it! His tracking was the kind the made all the little hairs on the back of your neck stand up -- focused, intent, and full of joy! He was the most honest dog I've ever known, and was used to train puppies, other handlers, helpers, and more.

See you on the other side, old friend.
Warren  

Memorial Day with Michael Ellis!

Memorial Weekend is fast approaching! If you're interested in attending our annual obedience and protection seminar with Michael Ellis, please let Warren know as soon as possible. For more information on Michael, click | HERE |

These seminars are always informative and fun! Don't miss it!
 

"Fall" trial August 2,3 with USA Nathaniel Roque

We will be offering the usual suite of titles, VPG/SchH 1,2,3, IPO 1,2,3, OB and TR 1,2,3, as well as FH 1 (and 2 if we can find room), AD and BH. Nathaniel is an excellent judge with a keen eye but a kind word for every competitor, and our club’s hospitality is well regarded (it better be… we’re WAY outta the beaten path!).

The entry form can be found | HERE |

A map to the Jones' training field and the tracking fields is available | HERE |
 

The AWDF Championship and Team Challenge

April 4-6, 2008 in Gadsden, Alabama

I attended the competition this year to participate in the annual AWDF meeting, to watch the competition, and to spend some time with the excellent slate of competitors that the AWMA fielded.

Coming from the frozen North where winter has yet to let loose its grip (it also snowed the day I got back) even the rain was a welcome change. And did we have rain. On Friday it alternately drizzled and poured. The final flight of the day was cancelled due to the possibility of strong winds and tornadoes that fortunately did not materialize. Saturday was also characterized by drizzle and rain. But by late morning on Sunday the clouds lifted and the sun finally came out.

This was truly a first class event. The caliber of training, the performance of the dogs, and the manner in which the handlers presented their teams was excellent. Judges and helpers alike commented on how impressed they were, and I agree. It was obvious that the AWDF event had matured to a competition that would be at par with any other national event in the country. Even though the weather could have been better for the humans, it was generally good dog training conditions.

The competitors that were deluged during obedience looked a bit miserable and a few of the dogs shook to remove excess water, but the field stayed relatively safe and slipping did not seem to be an issue. The only weather-related catastrophe was the FH tracks. These were held Friday afternoon and started right about the time the heavens opened up. Tracking was held on the same fields used for the last USA National event. The grass was green, lush, and about six inches tall in most locations. I watched tracking on Friday morning, where the only issue was that three dogs were given retracks because there were some problems with the tracklayers fouling neighboring tracks.

The obedience field was set up with the jumps back to back. The only two somewhat unusual aspects of the protection setup was that the back half helper’s sleeve was in the corner downfield from blind 6 on a chair, and this seemed to cause a few dogs some problems. The other interesting twist was that during the back transport the helper turned right towards the fence and the spectators and attacked right before reaching it. There were a number of competitors who were closer to the helper than five paces and there was no room for forgiveness in this situation. Front half helper Lotus Perkins did a great job of handling the dogs in these close quarters. With his speed and athleticism, the dogs had to take off on the escape bite to catch him. He was extremely consistent throughout the competition and gave each dog a chance to show its ability. Back half helper Jim Laubmeier was also very consistent and safe, even though the field was slippery with rain and mud and many dogs came in fast and straight.

High in Trial and High IPO 3 winners Mark Saccoccio and Joker du Loups du Soleil were a great team. Mark hasn’t had Joker for all that long but you wouldn’t know it from the performance. This dog has matured considerably since the AWMA Nationals where he won the helper’s choice award. There was a minor issue in protection on the long bite where Joker was apparently focused on the photographer rather than the helper, but back half helper Jim Laubmeier got the dog’s attention back where it needed to be. Second place winners James Honda and Aran had a stellar obedience routine in a virtual downpour. He was also one of the few protection routines where it also poured. Another notable team was third place winners Mike Deihl and Erriz, who had a powerful protection routine. In obedience, another crowd pleaser was Montell Brown and his Schnauzer Quentin who obtained a well deserved 97V in obedience. Les Flores’ Dutch Shepherd Aaron was most impressive in the protection work and definitely stopped the helper.

Fellow Montanan Rosellen Westerhoff and Ura also had a solid performance. Ura was one of the dogs who had a retrack. She was nearly done with her original track when things just didn’t look right from afar, but she went down on an article. She’d taken the exit from one tracklayer and end up on a leg of the adjacent track. After a few nerve wracking moments, the judge and tracklayers figured out what had happened and Rosellen was offered a retrack later that morning. This track went very well, especially for a dog that hasn’t seen any green grass for a very long time. In obedience, Ura missed her sit out of motion and the remainder of the point losses were for minor issues. The helpers appeared to push her particularly hard in protection but she rose to the occasion and put up a good fight. Rosellen and Ura came home with Highest Female Team and Female Malinois honors. Ura had two sons in the competition, Kaapo with David Thomsen and Kaden with Dre’ Hastings. Both of these very young dogs were a joy to watch. Kaden may have won it all except for some slight secondary obedience problems in protection. They ended up with the Youngest IPO 3 Dog trophy and 4th Place IPO 3.

I had a great time. Thanks to Bruce and Rosellen for letting me share a room and for spoiling Ura a bit – dog withdrawal is a terrible thing. If you want details on the event, please get in touch. I’d love to talk with you about it in more depth.

Anne Camper