Superstar Mama

We started training a full year ago, and then got sidetracked with one doggy event or another, and never did get around to testing Paisley for her CGN, aka the CKC's Canine Good Neighbor program. One quick tune-up at All Bright Dogs last week, and I decided to enter her in the test this weekend at the Alberta Kennel Club show.

The CGN is a series of 12 different things to test a dog's good behavior in public situations, i.e. heeling through a crowd with distractions (in this case, an umbrella and someone with a walker), accepting a friendly stranger, sitting nicely while the human does a meet n' greet with another human whose dog is also sitting nicely, having a well groomed appearance and accepting someone brushing them, looking at their ears, picking up their paws, etc., a recall, a brief stay, and then a 3-minute out-of-sight stay.

Although her nice heeling work looked more like a waddle (at 8 weeks' pregnant) she passed the rest with flying colors and once again made me very proud. And with the big tummy and lack of energy at this stage, I didn't have to worry too much about her jumping up on the evaluator!

Congratulations to CH Casselcreek Vintage Paisley CGN.

Happy Trails ... Theresa

Puppy breath

Congratulations to Dixiana Lucky Carmine, whom this weekend delivered a litter of reds and blacks sired by our boy, Gracin. That's the proud papa sitting with me in the photo to your right. Carmine stayed with us for a couple of weeks in early December, while she and Gracin made their love match. A very sweet girl with a lovely temperament, combined with the very fine qualities in our boy of temperament, brains, talent, etc., etc., this is going to be a wonderful litter of puppies anyone would be quite happy to own. Proud "gramma" Phil is absolutely thrilled after waiting so long for some Carmine babies, and missing on a breeding or two. When Carmine came to visit, I assured her that between myself, Gracin, and Auntie Tammy, we would be sure to get the job done! Hopefully I'll have some photos soon.

Thinking about Phil's sleepless weekend whelping puppies and now the elation I know she feels as she admires their lovely brood, it makes me so excited for Paisley's day to come. She's had another very good week with a weight gain of nearly 3 lb ... it's amazing now that she has her appetite back. The hair is suddenly thinning and disappearing from her tummy area as she prepares to nurse her little family. I have the warming box, whelping pool, towels, scale, and charts & records all ready to go, my Delee suction catheter and nasal aspirator sterilized, and my collection of different colored nail polish (for identifying puppies with a dot on a back foot) just waiting to be put to use. And I'm working like mental to stay caught up so I can enjoy a few days of just snuggling, taking in the puppy breath, and making sure my sweet mama is well taken care of.

How many more sleeps 'til puppy day??

Happy Trails ... Theresa

A Must Read

It’s a weekend tradition as steadfast as Tim Horton’s every Saturday and Sunday morning – watching the Dog Whisperer on the “National Geographic Channel” (can’t you just hear Cesar saying that, with his Spanish accent? The National Geographic Channel).

Years ago, when I read my first Cesar book, I thought he was a little too much “Hollywood” and kind of wrote him off. But Glenn’s been watching his show every weekend morning for a couple of years, and naturally I’ve gravitated toward the TV too. I’ve learned a lot from watching the show and attempting to apply his principals to my own “pack”. Amazingly enough, with this unruly pack, I’ve seen some changes, all improvements, in the dynamics, their behavior, and especially my presence and interaction as pack leader. Of course, it’s soooo easy to fall back into my old patterns of building up the excitement level, but when I stay disciplined and conscientious of my body language, my tone of voice, etc., the response and respect from the crew is quite significant. They remember that they're dogs, and I remember they're not children.

Angela (Juno’s mom and future Paisley puppy mom) has been reading Cesar’s new book, “How To Raise The Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond”, so I thought I'd pick up a copy, too. I can't put it down. It has me as captivated as the Twilight Saga series. I read each page with my yellow highlighter in hand.

Pages 23-24 describe his visit to a breeder. When I read those pages, I thought "that's me", or what I've worked hard at to be for my owners. It's important to me to be here as the "go to" person for training issues, problem solving, and especially to share in your delight over your Aussie's latest stellar accomplishments. It's SO much more than selling you a puppy and wishing you luck as you both heel off into the sunset.

P.S. The part where he says if you arrive at the breeder's and it's wild and crazy and loud and chaotic, that you should run like hell ... please ignore that part. It doesn't apply here hahahahaha.

I would encourage anyone with a new puppy at home, their name on a waiting list for a puppy, or an already present dog at home who could use a little tuning up, to obtain a copy of this book. It'll be money well spent and in the long run much more valuable than yet another stuffy toy for your pooch. And for my Casselcreek future owners, it'll give you something to do to help pass the time from now until February 14, and from then until you take your puppy home.

I've included a photo here of Annette (Zoey's person) who was lucky enough to attend one of Cesar's seminars and book signing.

As for Twilight? Move over Edward, there's a new man in town and his name is Cesar.

Happy Trails ... Theresa