​Dylan (now 4 months old) is my 4th Border Collie. It seems that each time I get a new BC puppy the resources to help us in the first year greatly increase. I remember with Kaffee the only resource I had was Silva Truckman in Slovenia for agility. Susan Garrett has always been a source of wonderful dog training information, usually requiring an expensive membership. However recently she has a wonderful list of things to do to prepare for your new puppy which includes its first night so that will be your only night getting up; potty training; what to do the first couple of days 5 games for new puppies and much more.
 
Then Petra Ford had an AWESOME webinar that was available called, PUPPY FUNDATION with a new and perhaps only 8 or 9 week only puppy. Catherine Zinsky has some excellent very young puppy training resources.
 
The one thing these excellent trainers had in common was that from the day a puppy arrives (usually 8 weeks old) training should begin. What you do now sets the stage for the puppy/dog you will have in the coming years. There is so much scientific research now saying that positive conditions during these early 5 stages/phases produce dogs of the highest caliber mentally and socially.  
 
J. Paul Scott writes between 8-12 weeks old puppies are LEARNING MACHINES; their learning facilities are operating at full capacity. This marks the period when the puppy will learn at a fast and furious pace. Although the COME, SIT, DOWN and STAY are important at this time, interesting enough the important single response during this period is learning to FETCH. Puppies who do not learn to fetch are dropped from some Guide Dog Program.
 
He also writes that formal obedience training should begin between 13-16 weeks if full potential of the puppy’s intelligence and companion ability is realized.
 
Petra Ford so brilliantly speaks of teaching her puppies the correct way to do something from the beginning (which in Puppy Fundation) is 8/9 weeks old. For example for the DOWN, SIT AND STAND TO NOT MOVE FORWARD… This is critical in obedience work and can result in valuable points off…. So when it is taught why not show the correct way and reward for correctness. Another is to not mouth the dumbbell so from day one she teaches and rewards taking and holding something like a dowell but not allowing mouthing. It is easier to teach and support the correct behavior in a puppy (the learning machine) than trying to fix an incorrect way of doing a task when the dog is older and more set in their ways. 
 
Despite this excellent scientific research I am still disheartened and surprised to learn that many people almost brag about doing nothing with their puppies. One well known trainer keeps telling me she does nothing with her puppies and obedience should not be started until 2 ½ years. Another agility competitor did nothing with her puppy including no recalls and seemed proud in telling every one what a naught dog she has.  This dog often jumped agility fences and ran uncontrolled outside the fence.
 
Yes and what I see is this lack of introduction to proper behavior, learning of correctness in performance skill comes back in some way to haunt the owner. For example, chewing or mouthing a dumbbell can help be prevented by an older dog if taught the proper way as a young puppy to hold something like the dowell. Focus on the handler which later is so important for obedience and heel work can be encouraged. Fronts and correct start position can easily be encouraged and started with the young puppy. Many many obedience competitors have trouble with the utility scent articles. I have trained 3 of my recent border collies as a game in the house with first odor and then a scented article. There is not rush in them playing and learning this game and when eventually more articles are added it is just game progression.

Examples, Dylan loves to explore and with his curiosity he likes to put his feet up on the counter. As we know this can lead to pulling down things, eating things that are not his and much more... So this behavior has to be corrected to let him know this is not allowed. He did not arrive here knowing that he should not explore on counter tops so it is up to us to change this behavior. Another example is that puppies are teething for at least 6 months so everything goes into their mouths especially stones outside... again a behavior we need to protect them from or in some cases protect our house. How about steeling shoes from a closet.....Do puppies come knowing they are not suppose to chew or take out shoes from our closet to chew or play with??? Then the big one is Kleenex and toilet paper... what fun. More than once I have caught Dylan with Kleenex in his mouth..then. he would love to play keep away while he tries to eat some.... So now at night we have added Kleenex and Kleenex boxes to our "WHAT'S YOUR CHOICE" games. Every day I play a game with his HOT ZONE bed and proper behavior for going out the front door or waiting for a guest to come in; waiting at the door when it opens; not going out when someone does go out; doorbell ringing... All a fun "IT'S YOUR CHOICE" game. Puppies are not NAUGHTY... we just need to train them what we expect and not let them get away with inappropriate behavior.
 
Visit my web page and see how Beckett my last border collie was trained and now Dylan whom I do more with based on all the new resources with excellent people like Petra Ford, Susan Garrett (especially recaller course) and Catherine Zinsky are doing with their dogs – offering many ideas of fun early training. You may not agree with some of what they are doing, such as early heel work, but the being at ones side for loose leash walking, being in a correct position to start all exercises, pivot work, distractions, focus on the handler are all wonderful things building the foundation for fun, focused heeling.
 
Visit my web site to what Beckett and Dylan by age2 have and are doing.

www.2coolbcs.com

I was not going to write this blog for some time since my Border Collie, Myst, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had it confirmed with the Cadet Braf test was diagnosed July 7/7/21 on a regular annual vet visit. Today, February 26 2023 she is doing well with no life style change for this very high energy performance dog. I thought surely that any positive note about this would perhaps be a curse.
 
Then Dr. Karen Becker wrote in a recent newsletter “Dr Becker’s Food Recommendations for Cancer.” Reading this I was a little surprised to find that Myst has been on this diet for most of her time since diagnosis. Since life expectancy is usually 2-4 months without treatment and 4-6 with treatments Myst’s 21 months of wellness and normal activity is impressive.. I thought it was time to share her health story with others incase some of this information might be of value to prolonging a life and most importantly QUALITY OF LIFE.
 
THE EARLY DAYS
On annual exam for urine collection (since Myst was not doing a free catch) an ultrasound was done for Cystocentesis. The ultrasound showed a mass in the bladder so no urine was collected and the next step was diagnosis. A Cadet Braf urine test showed transitional cell cancer. Myst was started on Palladia 60 mg three times a week and Piroxicam daily.
 
I also consulted with a wonderful vet in New York whom I have consulted with for
years for alternative suggestions and she recommended I’m Yunity mushrooms which had a priority sale due to their Single Agent Polysaccharopeptide which a study at Penn State University showed delayed metastases and improved survival in naturally occurring hemangiosarcoma. The study was conducted by two University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine faculty. Dorothy Cimino Brown is professor and chair of the Department of Clinical Studies and director of the Veterinary Clinical Investigation Center. They published their findings in an open-access article in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The Coriolus versicolor mushroom (Turkey Tail), known commonly as the Yunzhi mushroom, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. The compound in the mushroom that is believed to have immune-boosting properties is polysaccharopeptide, or PSP. In the last two decades, some studies have suggested that PSP also has a tumor-fighting effect.

In September 2021 Myst was started on I’m Yunnity mushrooms (5 per day).
However in October 2021 she was taken off of the chemotherapy agent Palladia due to diarrhea that was not able to be controlled. I also did not like this drug due to the extreme care with giving chemotherapy and having another younger dog using the same dog run.
At this time she was having regular ultrasounds to monitor the growth of the tumor. There were minimal changes in the tumor until she was taken off of the Palladia and then it did show enlargement.

LIFESTYLE ISSUES
When Myst was diagnosed in July it was very important to me that no matter what the treatment, her response and time she had I did was not going to change her lifestyle unless her condition indicated she was not tolerating her normality. She is a red, high energy, Border Collie who loved her life and activity. Her lifestyle included herding lesson, competing in herding competition, traveling, hiking at least 3-4 days a week in northern AZ off leash, obedience and scent work competitions training.
I carefully monitored things such as hiking and time out hiking, and competitions and she clearly did not show it was too much for her.. Myst was still the same wild and crazy girl that loved life.

HER DIET
My dogs have always been on raw food (at this time alternating Bones and Co, Raw Bistro and Small Batch). I always purchased Green JuJu greens and golden blend to add to the food as well as daily blueberries, raspberries and apples…… all organic. In September I started making my own broccoli sprouts that she received daily. Dogs received decaf green tea to warm food in morning; Green JuJu bone broth warmed for evening meal and Bones and Co fermented Goats milk before bed with a few berries and coconut chips. They also receive organic eggs, sauerkraut and sardines regularly each week.
​
Here is what Dr. Karen Becker just posted regarding diet for dogs with cancer that caught my attention: “A healthy diet for your animal companion — one that is anti-inflammatory (low starch) and not metabolically stressful — consists of real, whole foods, preferably raw…. he more unnecessary and inappropriate the food (in this case, carbs), the more metabolic stress your pet must deal with.
 
Certain supplements and add-ins can also be very beneficial to enhance immune function, including:
•           Sprouts
•           Medicinal mushrooms
•           Turmeric/curcumin
•           Super green foods and brightly colored veggies
•           Decaf green tea
•           Fermented vegetables
 
THE JOURNEY CONTINUED…
Since Myst’s tumor appeared to be enlarging, I again consulted with my New York vet who made a few recommendations for her liver dealing with these toxins as well as finding a practitioner that understood Chinese medicine since she knew in the past she had known about an herb that was excellent specific for bladder cancer.
 
Dr. Todd Metcalf, who at that time (December 2021) resided near me in the Verde Valley and whom I had established care with in the past did know of such an herb and ordered it for me. This amazing herb that he recommended was produced by several companies but he thought this companies was the best: Myst started on Chinese herb Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang from Natural Path Herbals.. 1 tsp. bid.. started on 12/22/21.
 
I noticed that this seemed to make a change in her overall wellness and she has continued on this. Dr. Metcalf orders this for me from a distributor in Vermont every few months.

Starting a few month ago Myst had urine leakage especially at night even though she went outside on her own during the night. I started taking her water up at 7:00 p.m. which did not help much. Then about a week ago she started having more urine spots where she was lying even after going out. I contacted my vet and we both concurred it could be partly her age (12 1/2) years and the tumor growing and possibly pushing up when she lies down. We started her on Proin 1/2 a 50 mg tablet both morning and evening and she has not had one drop of urine leakage. Fingers crossed. She continues to do well and has no changes in her activity, love of food or love of life. 
 
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS.—WONDER HEALING
I became fascinated with medicinal mushrooms by listening to an Inside Scoop presentation (Dr Karen Becker and Rodney Habib) by Dr. Ray Silver from Canada. In this presentation he discussed Turkey Tail and its amazing uses for inflammation as well as the herb of immortality Reishi. Dr Silver talked about Reishi supporting the immune response of Turkey Tail and would be an excellent addition. I learned about an excellent company that QUALITY MUSHROOMS could be purchased from for both animals and humans….. REAL MUSHROOMS located in Canada.
 
Real Mushroom founder, SKYE CHILTON worked closely with his father Jeff Clinton a master mushroom cultivator who worked closely with Chinese producers to ensure quality and developed rigorous testing measures to accurately show his customers what they were Jeff had  over 40 years of growing experience and was the first to bring organic mushroom extracts to the North American market. .
 
The most important active compounds in real mushrooms include beta-d-glucans, triterpenoids, diverse polysaccharides, ergosterol, and ergothioneine. When used medicinally, each of these can have dynamic effects on the human body. It is critical that these components be known and measured to ensure the amazing medicinal effects we are learning about. The functional mushroom market place is dominated by products that do not contain any mushrooms. These products are produced from mycelium (the rood system of the mushroom) being grown on a grain substrate.
Read more about REAL MUSHROOMS  at https://www.realmushrooms.com/
 
In learning more about mushrooms to support Myst and cancer I became fascinated not only by TURKEY TAIL but also by REISHI. I contacted Dr. Ray Silver who along with mast herbalist Dr. Terry Willard said they did not know of overdose of the Reishi mushroom. Dr. Silver had given suggestions for a well dog supporting dose along with a larger dose for conditions such as cancer. Myst was started over a year ago on my human dose of one capsule for per day to accompany her I’m Yunnity and Turkey Tail. I introduced both mushroom additions slowly to be sure she tolerated them… which she did… I am now thinking of where we are going into month 21 of perhaps adding a pet dose of Reishe in the mornings.
 
“The Reishi fungus contains over 400 different bioactive compounds including triterpenoids, polysaccharides, nucleotides, sterols, steroids, fatty acids, proteins, peptides, and trace elements (3).they contain hundreds of bioactive compounds, mainly in the form of polysaccharides and triterpenes, that assist the body in numerous ways such as supporting the immune system.”
 
Read more about the REISHI mushroom at:
https://www.realmushrooms.com/reishi-mushroom-for-dogs/
 
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS: 7 KINDS AND HEALTH BENEFITS
https://www.realmushrooms.com/7-medicinal-mushroom-benefits-for-health/?utm_campaign=8-13-22%20Mushroom%20Benefits%20w%2F%203%20NEW%20bonus%20Blog%20re-blast%20%28apple%29%20%28RstaJh%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email%20Client%3A%20Apple%20Mail%20%28Engaged%20120%29&_kx=TN_Kypxr81bHLXfIrz8-u-_tcFObQY1BIRp-aW93c8U%3D.L3MBgQ
 
Medicinal Mushrooms for Pets
https://www.realmushrooms.com/medicinal-mushrooms-pets/
 
TURKEY TAIL AND CANCER
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/mushrooms-and-hemangiosarcoma-2/

For a fascinating look at the wonders of the REISHI Mushroom, read Reishi Mushrooms: Herb of Spiritual Potency and Medical Wonder by Terry Willard PhD. available from Amazon. Amazing insight into remissions and wonders with cancer both animal and human. Sadly as the author points out there has not been enough research to support recommendations for use and only those who venture on this journey on their own are finding incredible results.
 
______________________________________________________________________________________
 
Looking at Dr. Beckers article and recommendations has brought me here. I have attached a copy of Myst’s SUPPLEMENTS and DIET that I closely follow. She has regular blood work to monitor her blood count, liver and kidney values.. Those test have been totally normal and of course her supps for her liver are adjusted monthly such on one week on Milk Thistle but daily liver support with Vetriscience Hepataclear Pro.
Her Omega has been reviewed as well as Curcumim support AND of course support for the microbiome is ESSENTIAL so she has always been on rotation of pre and probiodics.
 
I have not wanted to know the progress of Myst’s tumor but only her wellness and enjoyment of life. In November 2022 she surprised us by earning her AKC HERDING CHAMPIONSHIP and at a NSW herding trial a month early won a special recognition. Myst earned her NSW1 title today and a wonderful surprise to be awarded the designation of PRONOUNCED. Judges ‘pronounce’ a handler/dog team demonstrating exceptional technique and/or teamwork for the search they judged. In order to receive the designation “Pronounced” the dog/handler receiving a “P” on all 4 searches in that trial receives the designation for the trial of Pronunced. Myst was one of 2 dogs who received this designation in addition to her title. Very proud of this senior dog. She continues to be happy and very active and we are so grateful for the support of a few caring vetererarians especially our local vet Dr. Celeste Flannery at AirPark Animal Hospital.

If I had to think about the most powerful contributors to Myst’s current health I would say they are: the Chinese herb Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang from Natural Path Herbals; I’m Yunnity mushroom; Turkey Tail mushroom and Reishi mushroom. These supplement along with her extremely healthy diet of raw and fresh fruits and vegetables.

 
COPY OF HER CURRENT DIET AND SUPPLEMENTS
 
Myst Food and Supplements
February 25 2023
Supplements
​
Morning:
-       Piroxicam 10 mg 1 daily; started 7/23/21
-       ThorneVet, CurcuVet- SA150 1 chewable
-       2- TDC (periodontal & joint support)  daily
-       Canna-Pet 1 tab (CBD)
-       Complete Probiotic Adored Beast Fido’s Flora probiodic (refrig)
-       Nordic Naturals 1 tsp.
-       I’m Yunity immunity mushrooms – 3
-       Real Mushrooms Turkey Tail - 1    
-       Chinese herb Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang from Natural Path Herbals.. 1 tsp. bid.. started on 12/22/21. Her WBC went from 4.71 Dec. 1st at Circle L to 5.8 Jan. 6th.
------Proin 1/2 a 50 mg tablet - STARTED ON 2/23/2023
-       One week of month extra Milk Thistle 500 mg for one week only. She gets some with the Hepaticlear but that prep has other things in it for her and one week which I did initially for 4 weeks brought her ALT of 174 Dec. 1st at C ircle L  to normal of 50 on Jan. 6th. ( tested by IDEX blood work. )
 
 
Evening
—   Vascustatin from Allergy Research Group: 1 daily (started 9/16/21 from Dr. Alex suggetion)
—   VetriScience Hepaticlear Pro – 1 daily (has 100 mg of Milk Thistle)
—   CurcuVet SA 150 1 chewable
—   Canna-Pet 1-2 tab (CBD)
—   I’m Yunity immunity mushrooms – 2 (5 total daily recommended dose based on Penn Vet research study
—   Real Mushrooms Turkey Tail – 1
—   Real Mushrooms Reishi – 1 human does
—   Ellura (cranberry) to help prevent bladder infections
—   Chinese herb Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang from Natural Path Herbals.. 1 tsp. bid..
—   ¼ C bison bone broth
--  Proin 1/2 a 50 mg tablet - STARTED ON 2/23/2023 AT 7:00 P.M.

​Adequin 1 cc monthly

 
 
FOOD:
·      Rotate between Raw Bistro, Small Batch and occasional Bones and Co (4 oz a.m and 4 oz p.m.). Raw rotation: pork, rabbit, turkey, bison, turkey, chicken
o   2 tsp. homemade organic broccoli sprouts morning
o   Blueberries
o   ¼ C of organic decaf green tea over food
o   ¼ C with Green JuJuBe
Green JuJu (Ingredients: Organic celery, organic zucchini, organic kale, organic dandelion greens, organic parsley bison bone broth, organic coconut oil, organic lemon, organic turmeric, organic ginger.) ¼ each meal
 
Evening added to raw food: Homemade veggies consisting of combination of some of these: carrots, parsnips, cauliflower, apples, cilantro ground ¼ tsp. in food. Rotate to Green JuJu’s Golden Blend (1/4 C): organic butternut squash, organic celery, duck bone broth, organic cauliflower, organic golden beets, organic coconut oil, organic apple cider vinegar, organic ginger, organic turmeric.
 
Sardines x5 days weekly;
1 egg x2 days;
 
Bedtime snack:
Currently on 2 TBSPs of Organic Goats Milk Kefir;  from
Cocotherapy Coconut ships 1 tsp.
Raspberries & dehydrated apple treats

___________________________________________________________

UPDATE: MAY 5, 2023
I never wanted to read about bladder cancer and what the ending would be like.... I did not want to to do ultrasounds to see the progression or lack there of of the tumor. I just wanted to enjoy Myst, be happy and give her as many opportunities to do the things she loved and share them with her. 

She did that until the last 3 days: We went for a hike on Monday for only an hour; went herding with geese on Tuesday but I could see she was different. She was having increasing difficult with urinary incontinence and the Proin before bed was no longer helping. When I tried to add an additional one in the a.m. she did not tolerate it and had loose stools; she stopped wanting to eat; AND there were other new symptoms such as no longer wanting to play with her good friend Beckett; sleeping and sleeping and withdrawing from us.

I made an appointment with our lovely vet Dr. Celeste Flannery to talk with her about Myst's increased symptoms. I clearly saw she was now failing probably due to the cancer growth. I did not want to euthanize her for our convenience but things were rapidly progressing. Dr. Flannery offered to come to the house to help with her final transition. 

On Friday May 5th Myst was finally at peace. Being the wild and crazy red dog she never would come and lie down but this time she came to me in my office and laid her head in my lap and peacefully went to a place where she could run and be free of this burden and all the symptoms and pain she for so longer resisted. Myst was ready. As hard and painful as this is I am grateful for the 22 months of great joy and activity she had with us: last fall she got her AKC Herding Championship; won 2 elite classes in AKC scent work 2 weeks ago; often placed in top 3 in herding and enjoyed beautiful hikes in the red rocks or forests of Northern AZ.

Beckett was Myst's best friend and she his. I was worried about how well he would take this. He was allowed to watch behind a baby gate and when she had passed come into the room. He has done remarkably well and when he waits for her outside I just tell him that Myst was sick and had to leave us. Somehow he knew and in his own way understood she was no longer with us. We have always given him so much attention and love; that has not changed but we are even more attentive with him and he continues to be very busy in obedience, herding, scent work and hiking. Perhaps someday he will be ready for a puppy. Life has to go on. 
 
 Myst won many titles in her career: Below are her AKC titles in herding (championship), obedience and scent work, and agility
She also won many titles in AHBA (American Herding Breed Association including their herding championship and many Advanced titles in ASCA

HC Cedar Red Myst UDX PUTD OM1 HSAds HSBd HSDs HIDs HIAdMsM HXAdMsM OA NAJ NF SWN SCA SBA TKA
 
 
 

After a lot of reading and research on human and dog’s health, I have learned the importance of a healthy microbiome. The microbiome is a unique collection of hundreds of different types of bacteria and other microbes (such as viruses, fungi, etc) in the gastrointestinal tract. Imbalance of bacteria in the gut leads to what is called “leaky gut” and ultimately leading to inflammation and many health problems in the body.
 
Pre and probiodics are used to help promote intestinal balance and prevent leaky gut. However, many things can disrupt this balance and lead to health problems. ANTIBIODICS are but one of these. Antibiodics are meant to kill all bacteria and in so doing disrupt the gut and may cause leaky gut.
 
Knowing this information many of us choose to be very careful not only about the foods we feed but also the use of drugs such as steroids and antibiotics. However there are times that we feel we must turn to the help of one of these drugs if the dog is not responding to good food and natural supplements.
 
Recently this happened to me. My young dog had been at 2 back to back shows: one a three day AKC herding trial, the other a 3 day indoor obedience show where there were conformation and obedience/rally dogs. Although he did not seem to be near other dogs and conformation was in a different area, there still could have been exposure.
 
When we got home on Sunday, he had a bout of reverse sneezing early the next morning. He still seemed to feel OK but progressed to have congestion. His behavior also changed in that he wanted to sleep very close to use and seemed worried with his reverse sneezing episodes and congestion.
I did not feel that he needed to see the vet at this time and I knew he would be put on antibiotics: he was not coughing or sneezing or having any mucous discourage.. just congestion. He also was sleeping more.
 
This progressed over the next few days until he seemed like he wanted to sleep more in the mornings. Since he was not getting better and seemed to be getting more congested and feeling worse I took him to the vet early the next morning.
 
His x-ray showed bronchitis and some mild swelling of his tonsils so he was put on antibiotics. I knew that it was important to use pre and probiotics but was not sure of the schedule and the need to rotate.
 
I totally trusted the research and product of Adored Beast and they are also available for online consult. I wrote to them and they immediately answered. URL: https://adoredbeast.com/
Below is a summary which I was given and am now following.

There were 4 of the Adored Beast products that were recommended to help restore the microbiome, strengthen the immune system and support detoxification (toxins being antibiotics, steroids, NSAIDs, and flea and tick meds as examples)

• Fido’s Flora
• Gut Soothe
• Liver Tonic
• Love Bugs

 
Initially while giving the antibiotics Fido’s Flora was recommended to give 3 hours away from the antibiotic such as before bedtime in perhaps a snack. Julie Anne Lee DCH RCSHom, founder and formulator for Adored Beast, wrote an article on Fido's Flora to help you learn more about this excellent probiotic.
 https://adoredbeast.com/probiotics-for-dogs-the-power-of-poop/
 
It was recommended that Gut Soothe, part of their leaky gut protocol, be given, finishing the one container. This is done to help offset the damage to the gut biome.
 
The liver tonic has always been recommended to be done twice a year for detoxification but in this case after the use of antibiotics, steroids, NSAIDS or flea and tick medication. Liver Tonic helps support your animal's liver, kidneys, gallbladder, and pancreas. All of these organs are paramount in the detoxification process and by supporting them, you help the entire body to stay healthy. Liver Tonic will assist the body to help regenerate healthy liver cells and boosts the organ’s ability to filter toxins from the blood.
 
After the treatment with antibiotics is complete then several of their pre and probiotics can be rotated: Fidos Flora and Love Bugs. Adored Beast  chose these bacteria specifically to strengthen your dog’s immune system and help keep your dog’s gastrointestinal tract calm during times of stress.
 
Visit the Adored Beast web site or the YouTube channel where Julie Anne Lee DCH RCSHom, founder and formulator for Adored Beast, discusses all our products and more!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2JePL6xYDo&t=6s


​

​Beckett is my 3rd obedience dog now competing in Open and Utility. Kaffee was my first and earned the very difficult OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion) title. Myst earned her UDX and OM (Obedience Master) and now Beckett has earned his UD and is working on his UDX. My goal has been to expose my very novice Utility dog to new experiences, new environments and now more than ever – PRESSURES IN THE RING that can cause momentary distraction in the dog or an inability to perform an exercise since they were not focused and concentrating.
 
One would think that we learn and apply most of what we need from previous dogs. What I am finding is this is such a false assumption. Yes, each dog is very very different in their drive, motivation, confidence, and natural talent. However, I am finding that obedience showing is now also very very different from when I worked on Kaffee's OTCH . When I was working on Kaffee’s OTCH the number in the classes in his early days might have been 8-12 dogs but when we were trying to finish his OTCH (points obtained by how many dogs were in the class and your placement), we almost always had to get first place to get any OTCH points since the class numbers were so low.
 

Today, this has changed. With a year off from showing or doing practice matches due to COVID, the number of entries in both Open and Utility are very high….. we are seeing 14-20 dogs in a class. What this means is not only are there more OTCH points available but also more very very good dogs showing – some of which typically get scores of 198, 199 or 200. What this means is in order to place we must also perfect our work in order to get any placement that could have points.
 
Since Beckett is very new to Utility (he just earned his UD a few months ago after starting work on it a few months prior). I am learning more about pressures in the ring that may cause a dog to loose their focus and in that moment may miss a signal, or command, or even choose to take a different jump in the UTILITY GO OUTS. For example in the show a week ago, a very seasoned judge had very challenging ways she exposed the dogs to pressure….. I am sure this is one way that they can separate out dogs and scores. First there were 3 rings; each was adjoining the other with no distance or alley between. The ring adjacent to the Open and Utility was rally. Rally signs came right up to and touched the Open/Utility ring. Our command discrimination in Open was right next to this ring and the judge stood very close to the dogs to give the CD commands. Very easy way to loose a dog’s focus.

Additionally recalls and dumbbell retrieve were done on the side of the ring where the steward’s table was, large number of people coming and going and watching and standing right next to the ring… Loud noise and very difficult to hear as well as for the dog to hear. I watched a friends dog in Utility become worried about this tight set-up, perhaps noise and so much going on around the scent articles. You could see. the dog start to worry and not perform the scent articles with confidence and then proceeded to move to the Utility GO OUT and be very unfocused and seemingly worried so she could not concentrate on this exercise and ended up with a NQ.... but it started with the previous exercise and pressures the dog was experiencing escalating to the GO OUTS
 
My goal for Beckett at this show was just to expose him to indoor showing since we normally show outdoors. In working on this goal, I was trying very very hard to keep his focus before we came into the ring, as we came in and between exercises. AND,,, just trying to be a good team partner to HELP AND SUPPORT HIM. Beckett surprised me on Day 1 and was invited back into the ring for a run off with 4 top dogs, some from California who normally get 199-200 scores. He not only got a 198 ½ in this class but also won the run off and won the class, eventually that day giving him his first obedience HIGH IN TRIAL. This was such a special moment which I may never have again in just this way but it was a highlight of my days showing obedience since there were 14 dogs in the class and many very very good seasoned dogs.
 
So what did I learn at this show to help me moving on and prepare me for new and unexpected challenges?

1.First, when we go to a show survey the ring set up and look for all the things in the environment that could cause my dog to be distracted.

2.Watch the judge’s heel pattern and where each exercise begins. Consider how I will keep my dog focused on and connected to me the entire time between exercises.

3.Watch runs and see what other pressure the judge is using on dogs such as how close and where they stand for exercises? How hard is this for my dog. What can I do to help them?
​
4.Visualize how I am going to do the run: outside the ring, coming into the ring. How am I going to move between exercises; how am I going to help my dog not loose his focus and attention knowing it can take 5-10 seconds to get it back. Figure into this pre-run visualization to TAKE MY TIME.. DO NOT RUSH. Do not become happy if the dog does a challenging GO OUT in Utility and then rush my signal to jump. Beckett is very different from my other 2 dogs: he does not want to be wrong and if I rush he seems to wonder if he is suppose to go… this at past shows has led to double commands – a NQ.
 
How do I Train in Preparation for Such Shows?

• First, I find a training partner and we go to many different parks and locations.
• We set up distraction challenges such as having our ring face children playing in a park or playground;, people coming and going or other very busy activity.
• We use each other to be the judge and put pressure on the dog. For example, I have worked very hard to not let Beckett look at a person who comes up next to him (i.e, the judge). He gets a tap on the head if he gets distracted. I ask my training partner to come very close to him and stand either next to him or close behind in all his exercises.
• In the Utility Signal command, judges are standing behind the dog or just to the side but very close.. We do this also.
• We look for places where there are distractions to do signals either with dog having these distractions behind or in front of them.
• Signals from long distances.
• We look for places with tight spaces for the command discrimination – pressure from sides and behind.
• The training partner judge follows the dog closely when heeling.
• For DIRECTED JUMPING, the training judge stands very close to the jump the dog has to take… Amazing how much pressure this is and Beckett early on would choose not to take the jump or take the other jump. Still a continual work in progress but he did very very well today as you will see in the video below.
• For articles, I play an article game in the house with my 2 Border Collies and put down 2 sets of articles (24 articles) in a different room. This helps with the motivation, competition, and learning to quickly determine the scented article. Somehow it has also really helped with not touching or picking up other articles.
• The training judge is asked to stand close to the article pile and then over the pile so the dog must ignore them and focus on the “find my article” command.
• For the Open recall we do the 4 pack: first a straight recall; next a drop with signal or voice, then walk into the dog (helps prevent their anticipation of the drop) and finally one of the other signals. Mix these up but practice all 4.
• Command Discrimination: in Utility B there are 4 different combinations; it is important to practice each one during a training session: perhaps 2, then another exercise; then the other 2.
• Beckett’s big weakness is LOOKING STRAIGHT FOR THE GO OUT – the MARK. He seems to do well in a typical ring set up with baby gates and the 2 jumps but misses the GO OUT and going straight when we work on longer distances and strange looking pole configurations… Much more work on this.
• Gloves…having my training partner judge stand right next to me or walk into Beckett from behind as he is retrieving it….. At the past show he was not focused well and thought he had to bring it to the judge .. fortunately only loosing points since he self corrected at the last minute. The moving judge on exercises where he has to retrieve (dumbbell, scent articles, gloves) have always been a challenge for his FRONTS.
• AND of course FRONTS and FINISHES must always be practiced from all angles and with added pressures for dog’s path… Major point loss if not perfectly correct.

 
Yes, this is a lot of work. AND, everyone is on a different journey. Since I have a lovely dog who enjoys working with me and can heel nicely, I am working very hard at improving scores. This is my assessment of what we need to practice..not each time but….. to be included when determining practice and preparing to go into the ring.
 
Below is a video from our club’s practice match today where I asked our judge, who is familiar with Utility, to put a lot of pressure on Beckett..  This video show this nicely and it also shows how much we have improved at staying connected between exercises… A wonderful learning journey with a very special dog.

After having so many obedience shows cancelled in Arizona this past year due to COVID, we finally got to an obedience show last weekend (March 21, 2021). I was not only so happy to finally be able to show again and to have an acceptable Open B run with my young Border Collie, Beckett, but also to get qualifying scores in the 190s for both Open B and Graduate Open (pre-utility class). Yes, I was happy that after over a year of not showing that my young dog did so well especially with distractions he was not accustomed to after training mostly alone.
 
After reviewing my show videos, I was not happy with how Beckett behaved between exercises especially when I thought I had been working on transitions and focus. I have spent a lot of time working on having Beckett not think that the judge was a friend to go and meet and greet and to not feel like he had to go visit all the new people that he certainly seemed to think just came to see and visit him
 
My inspiration for teamwork, showing and training in obedience has been Petra Ford as well as many virtual lessons with Laura Romanik who has provided invaluable feedback on my obedience training and showing videos. I have taken many of Petra’s online classes and have gotten feedback and help from working with Petra one on one. She has been such an inspiration to help model in the ring teamwork and precision. Her philosophy around making obedience fun and helping the dog believe that obedience is just a series of tricks has been so helpful in guiding how I train. Her new information on why dogs fail in the ring due to all the pressures they feel, has been invaluable in setting up exercises, proofing and fun work for Beckett.
 
This show was going to be feedback on where we are at. How well have I done with helping Beckett be happy with obedience, focused in the ring, less distracted and not failing an exercise possibly due to pressure? I did feel like so much of the training helped all of this but in watching the video all I could think was “Beckett had no manners in the show ring.” He was focused and did well in the exercises but when the work was complete he did not stay connected with me and in Open became obsessed with the dumbbell in the chair and when would he be able to retrieve it. His video is included to show this more clearly.
 
What were some of the new challenges with the post-COVID ring set up that we were not prepared for and did not train for?

• When we come into the ring we take off the leash and go and put it on a chair or where designated.
• We bring in our dumbbell for Open classes and place it outside, the ring. For this show it was in a chair outside the ring and the dumbbell was visible which it had never been before. In the past the DB has been brought out by the ring steward when the retrieve exercise began; it was not visibly showing while waiting for the exercise.
• When we do the Open exercises retrieve on the flat and high jump we go and get our dumbbell; in the past it was given to us by the ring steward.
• When we finish the retrieve exercises we must go and put it back on the visible area. At this show it is sitting on a chair outside the ring where the dog had to heel by and line up for the drop on recall.
• The ring setup is tighter than previously since now there are figure 8 cones in the ring.
• The open exit ring gate was an invitation for Beckett to think it was time for leaving the ring for his jackpot for good work.

 
What I realized was that Beckett was not being bad but he was acting exactly how I let him act in most of our training sessions. I had not asked for discipline from him to sit and wait while I placed his dumbbell when we came into the ring or got his dumbbell for the retrieves; to stay at my side when we transitioned between exercises and if he did. not to let him know he was not correct and to go back and not move forward until we were together; or to sit and wait as I was setting up the ring for another exercise such as scent articles or gloves in utility work. Yes, I knew a lot of this but did not insist as he would jump for the dumbbell as we moved from one retrieve to another or thought that the new green grass would be good to graze on. 
 
We have a three day obedience show in a week in Nevada. My training will not only support what I have been doing for pressure in the ring, fronts and finishes, heel work focus and position, the challenges of command discrimination, go outs and signals but will not include, “MANNERS IN THE RING”.
 
Over the last few days I have introduced a few new things into our training:

• Sit and wait when we come into the ring while I go and hang up your leash outside or the ring;
• Sit and wait while I go and put your dumbbell in a chair outside the ring;
• Transitions between retrieves (on the flat and over the high jump) and perhaps not have the dumbbell be visible to him as we move from one place to another;
• Sit and wait if I have leave his side for anything like setting up the ring;
• No wandering off to graze on new green grass and investigate treats that might have been dropped by other dogs training;
• He must walk at my side as we go and get the dumbbell; if he tries to forge ahead I mark with an “uh, uh” this and retreat a few steps back until he is at my side.
• We will heel past the dumbbell in the chair often; Walk from one part of the ring to where the DB is sitting outside of the ring in the chair.
• More work to help understanding of the command discrimination and how it differs from the utility signals:
  • STAND > DOWN > SIT
  • STAND > SIT> DOWN
  • Signals from heeling immediately followed by command discrimination
• Praise and reward for staying at my side as we move between exercises
• End of work jackpot is no longer to be outside of the ring on a chair but after the stay and get your leash, I bring him his jackpot helping him to see that he does not leave the ring for the big reward.

 
This week we have been working on the above changes in our training: when in the obedience ring we are working as a happy and confident team. No barking, no roaming around as our goal is to have communication and teamwork and not be distracted by the environment. Beckett has done surprisingly well doing what I have asked. This tells me that he did not know what I wanted since I never communicated or enforced this. REMEMBERING, THERE ARE NO BAD DOGS, ONLY BAD TRAINERS.
 
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Note: Petra won the 2020 National Obedience Championship. Watching Petra and her dogs is truly perfection in motion. To see some of her gorgeous runs visit her youtube channel. Her connection with her dogs and the joy they experience together is such an inspiration that has helped focus my training. She has helped me visualize  the importance of stay connected with my dog from the moment I come into the ring and to when I leave.

Each time I sit down to write about this topic I am stopped by my reflection of recently learning of people whose dogs LIVE in shock collars. I have written before about my choices in dog training and how upset it makes me to learn of these people I know whose dogs lives are shock collars or other aversive training behaviors.
 
Just as with COVID, there is great diversity in choices and beliefs in how people live their lives. Perhaps the hardest thing for me during this past year has been to accept the choices people make as to wearing masks, socially distancing, attending social gatherings and dog shows. My trouble ignoring dog training methods is just part of this challenge that I must face and accept.
 
I do realize that these people do love their dogs. Perhaps they just don’t understand or have not experienced the changes in their dogs if they wear or train with shock collars and other aversive training. Have they had that amazing relationship with their dog that is so fragile yet so beautiful? When I look at these dogs I often see changes in posture, the eyes and joy in working or greeting people.


So I have to continue to set a good example with my dogs to help others see there is a different way. I have to constantly remind myself that three of the best people I have trained with (Laura Romanik, Petra Ford and Susan Garrett) all use reinforcement-based training methods for correctness and have amazing dogs that are at the top of their game in competition and as an amazing pet. Their dogs are happy, confident and seem to enjoy interacting and training with their owners.

With all that said, phewwwwww….. it is gone…. Onto my latest challenges with my young dog (4 years old) Beckett. Videos below showing the change and how I trained with reinforcement for correctness.

We only showed once in obedience the past year due to COVID. It was a night show, with no practice match or exposure to this new environment with all the mask wearing, darkness and just having the show world seem turned upside down. Beckett could not do much of the Graduate Open exercise since there was so much that apparently was bothering him. He had no focus or idea why he was in the ring. For his second time in the obedience ring for his Open run, he could do a good job except he could not do command discrimination along the dark side of the back ring.

Shortly after the show Petra Ford had an amazing Fenzi webinar on “Pressure”. She talked about all the ways that dogs feel pressure while in the ring. She discussed in detail how this pressure effects her dogs especially her young dog, Zeal, that just won the AKC 2020 Obedience NOC.  I also had an opportunity to talk with Petra and learn that she felt the Command Discrimination exercise was one of the hardest for the dogs. A lot of pressure from behind, on the side, from the judge and in this show in the dark along a poorly lit back gate.

After learning more about all the ways that pressure can come into play at a show and how their behavior could fall apart due to it, I started working on exposing Beckett to pressure. See my section on “PRESSURE” with video progression of our work (pressure from behind, pressure of the judge – their position in the ring, walking into dog on recalls, heeling…..)

You will notice that the way Petra showed training in helping dogs to be comfortable with pressure involved carefully reading the dog to be sure they were not stressed at any time and not moving on until they were happy, confident and comfortable. Everything was to be fun with many positive rewards for correctness.

I also learned so much from Susan Garrett and have taken most of her online classes. Susan believes in game-based positive reinforcement and of course shaping. I have learned so much watching Susan so beautifully demonstrate her philosophy with her dogs and have found that games are a great way to build a dog’s skills in all exercises.

GAMES: Late in the day when we go into the doggie gym we do a lot of games and fun training which the dogs love and do not even seem to know we are really training to build fluency and confidence in the exercises as well as joy for the work. Three of the fun games I enjoy with the dogs are: seek for the treat and then come to front (seen in video below); put the scent articles in another room and have them find the scented article and search for the dumbbell and bring it to front from many angles.

Not only do the dogs seem to love these games but doing them together with each other adds an element of competition that is fun and seems to build their drive drive and love of the game.

The positively enriched training that I use is supported by science and uses reinforcement for correctness, games, shaping, preplanning, balance breaks, and assessment following training (review of video) of what was good and what needs improvement. Below is a summary of my REINFORCEMENT-BASED TRAINING.

A new training session begins with

• First, identifying what needs to be improved.
• Breaking this behavior down into its smallest pieces (SHAPING) – Helping the dog be successful while they learn to understand the behavior. One piece will be taught until the dog is performing it happily, confidently and correctly before we move on.
• Plan to video each training session: After each session look for what went well and what to improve and work on in the next session. Plan your next session
• Use…. THINK, PLAN, DO for each training session
• THINK: about what is to be trained.
• PLAN: the days training session(s).
• What will be done for reinforcement; when will reinforcement be given; what will be done when dog is not correct or does not meet the criteria for the level they are at; when will there be balance breaks.
• What will the balance break be? How long into training or what will indicate that a break is needed?
• How can this training be made into a GAME?
• DO: be sure to carefully read the dog to be sure they are not stressed or not understanding.

There are 2 new videos to show training that positively reinforces correctness.

I leave you with these wise words by Susan Garrett,
“The dog is a reflection of us as a dog trainer”
What does your dog say about you as a trainer?

Listen to the fascinating and informative podcast on Fenzi by Petra Ford on                                                              THE MAKING OF A NATIONAL CHAMPION.

​A few days before Christmas I took my almost 15 year old senior dog for his daily walk. Today was special since once again we could walk on the very short trail at our house. Kaffee seems to enjoy this short walk since he can go at his own pace, sniff, sniff, sniff and then trot up to me for a treat. After our 20 minute walk we went back to my house and into my office. About an hour later Kaffee tried to get up and was very unsteady on his feet, standing in an unusually wide stance for balance and had little coordination. Since this obviously was very scary for him he kept trying to fall me around the house and would not lie down or settle.
 
Symptoms had such a sudden onset that we feared it could be a stroke or perhaps worse. After 24 hours of this unbalanced behavior, my thoughts went to euthanasia. Fortunately it was Sunday and a holiday weekend so arrangements could not be made. The one vet who was willing to come to the house on Monday, had not one ounce of compassion and tried to tell me that her new service of stem cell therapy could perhaps help Kaffee. After I told her he was 15 years old and I had no desire to do this, (also knowing how expensive this treatment is), she then tried to sell me CBD and Cetyl M. I immediately knew I could not work with or ask her to help me with helping my very special senior dog, Kaffee.
 
When I emailed a friend of mine to let her know that I might have to euthanize Kaffee, she reminded me of the extreme vertigo that her Tibetan Terrier also 15 had had about 6 months ago. Her dogs symptoms were the tilted head, going in circles in the direction of the head tilt, sometimes falling over, loss of appetite and in general being unsteady on her feet. She told me that this condition was common in old dogs and was called Canine idiopathic vestibular disease, which is also sometimes called “old dog disease”
 
Kaffee clearly was exhibiting the same symptoms. On day 3 (Christmas Eve day 2019) of his sudden onset, he seemed a little better. It was as if he knew what our thoughts were and was telling us he was not ready to leave his family. Today also my son and his wife were coming to visit for Christmas. Kaffee was clearly better but now had the head tilt, the wide stance, difficulty with walking due to poor balance, and diminished appetite.
 
We researched vestibular treatment for dogs and found that Dramamine was used to help with the vertigo. We gave Kaffee several does but due to the drowsiness he did not seem greatly improved.
 
Several days later after ups and downs my thoughts again turned to euthanasia. We all wish our pets would quietly pass in their sleep but quality of life issues are very important to me and it seemed that clearly Kaffee had lost his joy of life even if it had greatly diminished as he aged.
 
I made an appointment with our very special vet that is an excellent diagnostician. I told the office staff we would like to bring Kaffee over for Dr. Flannery to see and to help educate us about his vestibular disease and we might have to euthanize him. Somehow as we drove over, I knew it was not time and that Kaffee would be coming home with us.
 
Dr. Flannery was excellent as she always is and told us that she wanted to treat his nausea that she knew he probably had due to his drooling; also to put him back on Dramamine.  Based on her knowledge of vestibular disease she told us that usually it takes several weeks before dogs vertigo and symptoms improve and it was not worth spending a lot of time trying to diagnosis his symptoms since no one really knows the cause of vestibular disease in old dogs. It more than likely has to do with the inner ear but could also be a stroke or brain tumor. It is best to just wait if possible to see if the 2 medications help…. Give him a few more days she told us and then decide about his quality of life.
 
In two weeks from the onset Kaffee was clearly improved. He was now again loving his food and always looking for treats; we could do a short walk down our drive way and street and the sparkle returned to his eyes. We were eternally grateful for the help, support, ethics and knowledge of Dr. Flannery.
 
It has now been 3 ½ weeks since the onset of symptoms and Kaffe has gradually improved returning to some of his old behaviors like barking at our Puli while his dinner is being prepared, barking while the dogs are in the doggie gym and wanting to be with us as we have our short close-up ball play. He goes out the doggie door on his own, is more balanced with less head tilt especially when walking down our street, sometimes trots out to the doggie run with the other dogs, jumps up over the threshold and sometimes seems senior dog frisky. Of course one of his favorites is his bedtime snack of chicken, blueberries and raspberries. And, he follows me everywhere.
 
Three times I seriously considered euthanize for Kaffee. It was as if he knew and quickly bounced back to slight improvement. My philosophical thinking throughout this is do we have a right to end a dogs life unless he is suffering? Are they not able to determine when their time is up and it is time to pass. Of course this would vary greatly due to their ability to get up, walk around, eat and show some peace with their current life… Euthanasia for me always comes with deep thinking about what is best for the dog. Today I am so grateful that Kaffee is still with us and still improves each day.

Kaffee remained on his very high quality raw food (Primal and Answers; goats milk kefir and turkey stock from Answers). He also resumed his supplements in the morning to help with his mobility and discomfort moving (1 TDC; DGP) and his probiotic. A few other supplements such as Curcuvet (Turmeric) and Nordic Naturals Omega were added back gradually.
 
Information on Canine Idiopathic Vestibular disease
 
Symptoms
·       Head tilt, which may be slight to extreme
·       Circling in one direction due to head tilt
·       Falling over
·       Lack of coordination
·       Loss of balance often with stumbling or staggering
·       Standing in unusually wide stance
·       Nausea and/or vomiting  
·       Rapid eye movement while awake
·       Choosing to sleep on the floor or other hard surfaces

The good news is that this condition, which is described by veterinarians as fairly common, typically disappears in a matter of days. The term idiopathic means that there is no known cause for why it occurs, which is most often the case. Often it has to do with an inner ear problem.
​
The good news is that this condition isn't dangerous or painful for your dog, although dizziness might cause him mild discomfort or motion sickness. The condition often clears up on its own within a couple of weeks, which is why vets typically adopt a "wait and see" approach. Nausea and vertigo can be controlled so it is important to make an appointment as soon as you notice these symptoms with your vet. DO NOT ALLOW them to convince you that testing is needed to determine the why of these symptoms. Again, most medical professionals agree that there is no known cause for this condition but is not uncommon in old dogs, thus the name, “old dog disease.” 

​This video below was done a few months before Kaffee turned 15. Sadly Kaffee's body wore out and in March 2020 we had to help him transition. We miss him very much. 

The second video is excellent and provides wonderful information on "Old Dog Vestibular" by a veterinarian.