Sunday 29 April 2012

A Busy Bank Holiday Weekend

It's going to be busy next weekend. I am taking my trade stand to 3 different shows. Let's hope the weather is better than this last weekend.

Saturday 5th May - Crossroads Kennels, Milton Keynes, MK17 0RD 11am
        They are having a Fun Day and Fundog Show to raise funds for tyhe Labrador Lifeline Trust.

Sunday 6th May - National Animal Welfare Trust, Watford, WD25 8WT
        They are having an open day and a fundog show to rais money for the charity.

Monday 7th May - The Barking Mad Dog Show, Broom, Biggleswade, SG18 9NN
         They are having a fundog show to raise money for Hounds for Heroes.

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Lumpless Labrador

I don't think Leo will forgive me for making him miss breakfast yesterday morning!  Poor sausage had to go to have a lump taken off at the vet.  Quite wobbly on his feet last night, but much more with it this morning when he gulped down a hearty breakfast!  All systems heading back to normal, apart from the dreaded lampshade on his head!

Monday 23 April 2012

Happy Hounds!

I spent a lovely weekend at Newbury Showground at the Wallingford Dog Training Club agility meet. The whole weekend was like a breath of fresh air for me.  As a behaviourist I spend most of my time dealing with, reading about, or studying dogs with behavioural problems which are usually brought about in some way by humans!
 But here were hundreds and hundreds of happy, happy dogs.  Owners who want to give their dog a good and meaningful life.  People having fun outdoors, running alongside their dogs who were having an amazing time.   Lots and lots of Border Collies were having the time of their lives.  This type of herding dog very often experiences behavioural problems when owners do not take account of their strong, working drives.  The outlet of being able to run around an agility course allows them to stop, start, watch their owner, jump, change direction, run and satisfy many of their innate needs.
 
In fact Border Collies are SO good at agility that another class of agility has been formed to allow other breeds a look in!  If you have a Weimaraner, Great Dane, Dachshund, or mutt you can enter them in the 'ABC' class -- Anything But a Collie!!!  Any collies, or collie cross-breeds are not allowed to enter.  So how can you tell whether they are a collie cross-breed or not?
 
 Blackdog DNA will tell you what the genetic heritage of your dog really is!  Simples!