Sandusky Bay Hunter Retriever Club - Started Hunt Test

Dave had been working hard training Tank for hunt tests.  Tank already has his junior hunt title with AKC but he had that prior to us owing him.  Dave decided to try his hand a training Tank for the UKC tests. They are structured slightly different and more like true hunting environments. In order to pass the hunt test the dogs have to do 2 land retrieves and 2 water retrieves. The dogs are held steady by the handlers and then the duck is launched and the dogs are sent on the birds. Once they find the bird they retrieve it back to the handler and hold the bird until the handlers releases it. 

 Our first experience with a hunt test was this past weekend at Sandusky Bay Hunter Retriever Club.  The event was Saturday and Sunday and the dogs ran 4 passes both days (2 land and 2 water ). Dave took Tank up on Saturday by himself and the passed with no problems.  On Saturday night Dave drove home so that I could attend on Sunday.  On Sunday we left bright and early and took Cash along as well. Avery got left behind again.  Once we got to the event grounds with met with the other handlers and owners. They were all great and took the time to explain stuff to a beginner like me.

I got to watch Tank run and was so impressed with my boy. You could just tell he lives for hunting up dead birds. Just watching the thrill in his movements is so cool.   He has a lot more drive than a lot of the other dogs there.  The other dogs running were mostly labs and golden retrievers but we also saw and Airedale run as well.

Tank come out of the weekend with two passes and two ribbons. I can't wait until the next test in September. Good job boys!!

Cash just passed out !! Lots of loving for her, Tank came out the biggest winner in my heart.

The Gables

I have several friends that have dogs that are Therapy Dog, and I know it a rewarding thing to do but I never knew how rewarding until today.

As most of you know Cash got her certification as a Therapy Dog back in March and since then we have been visiting nursing homes in the Marysville area. We stater off at a facility that I wasn't all the comfortable with. There was no guidance or instructions, so I did some asking around and we ended up at the Gables. This place is great the activities coordinator is great she knows about all of the residents and patients that are in the facility. She is able to direct me towards individuals that like dogs and those who don't get many visitors.

Today we started are visit much like last time. The coordinator Leah lead us around and asked the residents if they wanted a visit and the ones that did we went into there rooms for a short visit. One of the residents we called on wasn't feeling good but she wanted a visit anyway. Once Cash entered the room her face lit up.  She informed me that she loved the picture I left of Cash last time and that she says good morning to Cash everyday.  Cash went over to the patients bed and leaned into her so she could more easily pet her. Cash greeted her first by licking her hand then sitting still to be petted.  I her the woman whisper to Cash " I just knew you would come back, I missed your so much." Hearing her say that and seeing her response to Cash gave me goosebumps and made all the hard work we did to get Cash certified worth it.

We reluctantly left the woman;s side and went on to visit other people. As our visiting time was winding down due to Bingo starting up we went into another room. I asked the last resident if she was going to bingo in a few minutes and she said no. I told her Cash was going and then left her room. As we were heading to the bingo room for our final goodbyes for the day the last resident we visited with was in her wheelchair heading to bingo after all and asked if Cash would sit with her. We sat in for a round of bingo and were leaving when Leah said that the woman never comes out to socialize or play games. I guess Cash gave her the incentive she needed to get out and enjoy her day.

What a great experience we had today and I am such a proud doggie mom. Cash is so special in so many ways and I hope she understands what a difference she makes to those around her.

Rally then off to a pool party

So today I took Cash to her training class at Anything Goes for Dogs. She absolutely loves the trainer Kym and she is really getting excited about learning the dynamics for Rally Obedience. Today we refreshed the basics like sit stay, and down stay as well as sit,down,sit, and we added on learning about figure eights and serpentine patterns. Cash does great on these exercises going to the right , but when we change it up and go to the left we need some more work. She is getting more motivated and seems to be having lots of fun. I am planning on continuing her training once this session is over. I don't know that we will ever compete but we have fun playing around with it.

So once class was over today we headed over to Acme Canine for Spike's pool party. We were suppose to meet my friend Jan there with her dog Gus, but Jan got there before me and Gus was bad so they left without playing with us.  Apparently Gus humped a dog and peed on a lady so he is going home to be grounded.  Even though Gus was gone Cash still had plenty of other dogs to play with and people to love on her. She made fast friends with another yellow lab named Stanley and a Brittany spaniel. 

At the pool party Cash not only got to play with people but she also got to play several water games. The first one was a dog pool that had ball in it .The object of the game was to retrieve as many of the balls and diving rings as she could. She got 4 which got her a second place and a new toy.  The second game was a version of musical chairs. There were hula hoop on the ground and a sprinkler in the middle and when the music stopped the dogs had to find and empty hula hoop and sit in the center of it. She also got second place in this game.  The last game was a slip n slide that had water shooting up through the center and the dogs had to heal while getting sprayed with the water. Cash got a prize for this contest as well. I got very wet!!

We are back home now and Cash is sound asleep on the couch. Avery is just glad we are home so she knows where every one is and Tank stole Cash's new toy.  All is right in the world.

Training for a 5K

So I got the bright idea that I wanted to try and run/jog a 5K. I did some web surfing and found one that allows dogs to run with you and its held at Alum Creek.  Sounds like a winner, plus its not until the end of September so it gives me time to practice. So far my time sucks but there is plenty of time to improve that. Cash on the other hand looks at me like I am crazy when I am bent over trying to catch my breath, she want to keep going. I tell her she has 4 legs and I only have 2 so bare with me. 

Wish us luck!!

Rock, Walk and Wag

Cash and I got to participate in an event today representing the dog scouts of America.  It was a fundraising event for the union county humane society. There were lots of people and dogs around so Cash got lots of attention and treats. Our club did a small demo that consisted of the dogs playing a musical instrument all at the same time. It was fun, Cash play the bells. 

We got to inform pet owners about dog scouts so maybe we will get some new members from the event. 

Cash and I did a 1 mile fun walk then Cash played in the kiddie pool. What more could a labrador want. She got to play in water , get lots of attention and extra treats.

The Gables - in Marysville

After going to the previous nursing home several times I just wasn't feeling comfortable with the set up so I did some checking around and contacted the activities coordinator at The Gables here in Marysville. My contact person was Leah, and she was wonderful. I took Cash today for her visit.  We were greeted right away at least Cash was I was just a person attached to her leash. Leah took us around an introduced us to a lot of the patients and I was so impress that she knew which ones liked dogs and what kind of pets they had. She also seemed to know who would benefit the most from longer visits and who liked to just look at the dog from a distance. We even got to wander in to the activity hall and hang out for a round of Bingo. Who knew people got so excited for Bingo. Everyone seemed to enjoy Cash's company and she got lots of attention. When we were finishing up to leave I could tell Cash was getting tired. There was a resident sitting on a couch in the hallway and Cash went right over to her and laid down at her feet and just stretched out. The patients face just lit up and she was so excited. What a perfect way to end her first visit. I can't wait until next time.

Darree Fields Dog Park - Dublin, OH

Through some friends I found out about a new dog park in Dublin about 20 minutes from our house. Of course I had to check it out. It was fabulous. Cash and I had the place to ourselves except for two other black lab mixes. It was several acres fenced in with several agility obstacles to play with.  They had a tire jump , teeter totter , jump , and tunnel. Cash loved the tunnel. She kept running back and forth inside of it. The other two dogs that were running around were scared to enter the tunnel so Cash quickly figured out that she could run through the tunnel with a toy to hide from the other dogs.

What a perfect day, I just wish I would have had Tank and Avery with me.