Ta da! Finally, here is Clancy the Keeshond’s new fun and unique dog trick video where he “SneaKEEily Steals my Checkbook, Gets a Beer, Recycles and Goes Shopping!” (I added in an extra trick as a bonus for the delay.) Clancy takes matters into his own paws when he finds out that I’m not getting him any more new toys after he tears out the stuffing of one of his toys.
This long awaited dog tricks video that you voted for in a recent poll, hopefully is worth the wait in celebrating over 15,000 signatures on the #FreeTheKees petition to convince Governor Cuomo of New York to enforce New York State’s own puppy mill laws (specifically Charlemagne’s Law) to shut down Marjorie’s Kennel in Harpursville, NY where 50+ Keeshonden are neglected and suffering outside in the dangerous cold winter right now. Learn more at www.KeesRescue.com and keep spreading the word to #FreeTheKees.
Clancy and I will be creating new dog trick videos to celebrate the 20,000 and 25,000 signatures milestone within the next few weeks, so visit again soon!
Please accept our apologies for the long delay in getting this “Pickpocket and Go Shopping” Dog Trick Video out. Between accepting a promotion at my “day job”, working on my start-up pet services business, doing things with Clancy (we’re training and competing for our CDX title now!), family and other personal matters, it has left little time to work on this passion of mine… dog tricks and encouraging others to enrich their dog’s lives. Things should be quieter in February, so look out soon for “Clancy’s Dramatic Death Scene” video next followed by “The One-Fluffy Dog Band” dog trick video!
Dogs are capable of so much more than we give them credit for… work with your dog and you will be amazed! Will post more over the next couple of months on how to work with your dog to teach them fun and cool stuff!
~ Your dog is your best friend. Be your dog’s best friend. ~ SSB
Clancy going shopping with cashier Petra, the Vizla
With over 26,000 signatures on the #FreeTheKees petition to alert New York Governor Cuomo to enforce the state’s very own puppy mill laws which Marjorie’s Kennel is in violation of, Clancy and I are in debt to all of you wonderful people promoting the petition and signing it.
Clancy going shopping — a scene from the trick video we’re working on that will be live on YouTube on Sunday!
I have all the footage for the “Clancy steals checkbook and goes shopping” video loaded, now I just need the time to put it together, which I finally should be able to do on Sunday. (January has been such a crazy month… unexpected things came up and I haven’t had any time to dedicate to this passion of promoting the #FreeTheKees movement and dog tricks.)
Clancy has a very dramatic “play dead” death scene that he can’t wait to share with everyone to celebrate 20,000 signatures on the http://www.KeesRescue.com petition!
Clancy and I now owe 3 trick videos to celebrate the 15,000 and 20,000 and 25,000 signature benchmarks. I promise that they will be done by the end of February!
Please keep up the good work in spreading the word as 50+ Keeshonden are suffering in the freezing cold with little human interaction as they live outside in Harpursville, NY at Marjorie’s Kennel. Learn more about the cause at http://www.KeesRescue.com. February should be a busy month for this Kees Of Dog’s Delight blog, so keep checking back here! Thank you for your patience! – SSB & “Clancy”
Clancy won “The Best Trick” at the World of Pets Expo in Baltimore, MD last weekend! He will share this “One-Dog Band” trick with everyone to celebrate 25,000 signatures on the http://www.KeesRescue.com petition!
As we say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in 2015, Clancy and I want to thank all of our followers and those that stop by because they are interested in enhancing their life with their own dog, or love Keeshonden or are a fan of Clancy’s.
Here’s a toast to all that love their dog! Happy New Year!
2014 has been a busy busy year for us… It’s been fun, educational, and productive despite some of the limitations a nagging neck injury from a car accident a few years ago still imposes upon me.
Clancy’s achievements we celebrated in 2014, beginning with the most recent accomplishments include:
First leg of his Rally Advance Excellent title – American Kennel Club (AKC)
United Kennel Club (UKC) Rally Obedience 3 (RO3) title
Breaking his own dock diving record for Keeshonden with a 13 foot 2 inches jump
Trick Shows at numerous nursing homes, schools, and community events
Featured in the Maryland Gazette for our trick videos to bring awareness to the neglected Keeshonden in Marjorie’s Kennel (New York Puppy Mill) (FOR EVERY 5OOO SIGNATURES ON THE PETITION AT WWW.KEESRESCUE.COM we will create and post a unique and fun dog trick video on YouTube.)
Had a blast being with so many Keeshonden at the Keeshond Club of America National Specialty in Asheville, NC
Earning numerous First Place ribbons in the competitions we’ve been in
Creating THOUSANDS of smiles all year long with the dozens of Therapy Dog visits we do and just being out and about together
We look forward to what 2015 will bring and hope to keep motivating dog owners to bring out the best in their furry companions. Dogs are capable of so much more than we give them credit for. It’s up to you to encourage them and show them their potential!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
P.S. I am so sorry about the delay in posting Clancy’s trick videos. I have recently accepted a full-time promotion at my “day job” that does offer me the flexibility to grow FUNanimal Pet Services, however those combined with my continued devotion to doing things with Clancy, has not allowed me the time to complete the videos or contribute much to my blog as of late. Clancy and I owe TWO awesome trick videos now as the petition to Free The Kees in New York has reached over 25,000 signatures! With the holiday season coming to an end, I hope to get out the much anticipated “Clancy Steals Checkbook and Goes Shopping” video out on YouTube within the next week. After that video gets out, Clancy will perform another unique fun trick routine! (You will find a hint of what’s to come in the picture above. 😉 ) Keep spreading the word to tell the state of New York to enforce their own Puppy Mill laws to close down Marjorie’s Kennel in Harpursville, New York where 60+ neglected Keeshonden and a few other Spitz breeds are trying to survive the brutal New York winter outside… learn more and sign the petition at www.KeesRescue.com.
My new trick video is still in production! Not much longer now…
My apologies to everyone waiting on Clancy’s newest trick video! It really is coming soon…
I haven’t had any spare time lately, but I have not forgotten my promise of a new unique dog trick routine video for every 5000 signatures received on the http://www.KeesRescue.com petition to #FreeTheKees.
At a Capital Keeshond Club meeting, here’s Clancy enjoying spending time with “Christian”, one of the lucky Kees rescued from Marjorie’s Kennel (Puppy Mill)
At the time of this writing, we’re at about 17K signatures… please keep sharing and encouraging others to sign. It’s getting cold in New York… let’s save the remaining Keeshonden from Marjorie’s Kennel before we have more cases of frost bite and heat lamp burns.
Clancy and I achieved our UKC Rally Obedience 3 title last weekend! With some great scores of 97, 95 and 97, too! Pictured with Judge Robert Wolfe.
Clancy and I have been busy doing so many things!
Clancy has been bringing smiles to hospitals, nursing homes & more with his therapy dog work… he has completed over 40 therapy dog visits and will soon earn his AKC Therapy Dog title!
Now I just need to fulfill the purpose of my Kees Of Dog’s Delight blog and write about it so we may inspire others to go out there and do things with their dog! So please keep checking back in, we have so much to share! For a preview, you can get an idea how busy Clancy has been over the last several weeks in these photos.
Clancy received his AKC Dock Diving title (1st titled dock diving Keeshond!) Last year Clancy received his UKC Dock Diving title.
(We’ll also be in a dock diving competition this weekend!)
In the meantime, enjoy some teaser pictures of Clancy’s “steal checkbook and go shopping video”. As an extra bonus for everyone’s patience, we are actually adding much more to this fun trick skit!
Clancy competed in AKC Obedience Novice B at the Capital Keeshond Club Specialty on Oct. 12 and earned his highest score yet, 185 1/2 (Clancy has much more fun in the other dog sports, so he’s better at those than competition obedience)
We loved seeing all the Keesies and socializing with folks at the Capital Keeshond Club Speciality on Oct. 11. Puppies make it extra fun!
Clancy going shopping — a scene from the trick video we’re working on!
Clancy going shopping with cashier Petra, the Vizla
What does that mean? Most importantly it means that at least 15,000 people are aware of the neglected Keeshonden in Marjorie’s Kennel and that it’s only a matter of time before those that have the power to shut her down cannot continue to ignore our voices. We will not stand down until the 50+ remaining Keeshonden in her possession are allowed to be rescued and placed in the loving homes that are waiting for them!
You voted for it! In our last blog post, we asked you which trick routine you wanted to see Clancy do next to celebrate 15,000 signatures on the www.KeesRescue.com petition. Earning 50% of the the votes, you will soon see…
Clancy “SneaKEEily steals checkbook and goes shopping” dog trick video!
Check back here soon! (and of course we will announce the video release, too!) Please also keep spreading the word to sign the petition, write Governor Cuomo or the New York State Department of Agriculture… let’s keep the momentum going and when we reach 20,000 signatures, we already have a very fun and awesome dog trick routine ready to share!
Cool Clancy with his Bongos and “Piano”… did you see the “Fluffy Dog Plays Bongos” video yet on YouTube? If not, click here!
Keep spreading the word to help the turn over of neglected Keeshonden in Marjorie’s Kennel to Keeshond Rescue, for we are closing in on 15,000 signatures on the #FreeTheKees petition on www.KeesRescue.com. That means it’s time to start thinking about which of Clancy’s tricks to feature in his next trick video.
With so many tricks up Clancy’s furry sleeves (he knows well over 100 commands so far), it’s hard to decide which one(s) to show off next! (I do already have something fun and unique planned when we reach 20,000 signatures.) So, I’m going to let the Clancy fans decide!
Which trick would you like to see next??? Whichever trick below has the most votes on the day that the petition reaches 15,000 signatures, will be the next video we make and post! You may vote once each day. (P.S. The “Other” field is for fun and to hear what ideas you might have. No promises!)
Finally, what you have been waiting for… it’s Clancy playing the Bongos with a finale of him playing both the bongos and the “piano”! This is just the beginning of what we have in store for everyone! When we have time, OR when the #FreeTheKees petition on www.KeesRescue.com reaches 15,000 signatures, we will post a new trick video! Once 20,000 signatures have been reached, you’ll get to see Clancy do something really unique and cool! (Hint, this video is a preview of what’s to come!)
We have surpassed 10,000 signatures on the petition to help put an end to the suffering of the Keeshonden at Marjorie’s Kennel, a large puppy mill in upstate New York, who had promised to turn over her dogs to Keeshond rescue, and now is going back on that promise to continue to breed her unhealthy and neglected dogs. Thank you to everyone that have already signed. As promised, here is that video of Clancy playing the bongos in return for the petition reaching 10,000 signatures! Keep spreading the word! Clancy wants to keep showing off his tricks!
PLEASE do not support puppy mills by purchasing a puppy from a pet store or unknown person from the Internet… you will be dooming that puppy’s parents to a horrible life. Either adopt, rescue, foster OR buy from a reputable breeder. Please do your research before taking that cute puppy home. You will be happier and the poor dogs suffering at places like Marjorie’s Kennel will be happier that there may be a day that puppy mills are put out of business.
Please use the hash tag #FreeTheKees on any pet related post you make on Twitter, FaceBook or any other social media. Thank you for anything you can do to help expose Marjorie’s Kennel and the oversights of the New York Department of Agriculture Inspectors.
Here are images of “Sapphire”, originally known as “Frances”, who was one of the lucky Keeshonden rescued from Marjorie’s Kennel early this year and now lives with a loving family!
Clancy displaying how sad he feels for the poor dogs suffering in Marjorie’s Kennel and other Puppy Mills:
Hi everyone, Clancy and I are asking a favor of every animal lover out there… just a moment of your time which could change the lives of dozens and dozens of Clancy’s kind. It’s the #FreeTheKees movement to rescue the 40+ remaining Keeshonden from Marjorie’s Kennel, a large and disgusting Puppy Mill, in Harpursville, NY.
The Kees there are trapped in small crowded cages and do not get any socialization, or any kind of care beyond a meal… they are matted with parasites and with their own urine and feces. These poor dogs live in the extreme heat of summer and the extreme cold of winter and only exist to be “breeding machines”. Please take a moment to read about the Keeshond communities efforts to free these dogs and give them a life they deserve by visiting www.KeesRescue.com. There you will also find ways you can help the cause such as the contact information for the Governor of New York and other state officials. At the very least, please sign this petition to convince Governor Cuomo to force this Puppy Mill to shut down by enforcing Charlemagne’s Law, which imposes higher living standards of animals owned by licensed pet dealers. Marjorie Ingraham is in violation of this law. With her attempts to comply by reducing the amount of dogs she had (200+ !!!) and with thoughts of just retiring and getting rid of all of her dogs, many of Marjorie’s Kees were sadly euthanized due to their exceedingly poor condition. Some were sent to auction to continue to live horrible lives in other Puppy Mills. She had agreed to give up the rest of her Keeshonden to Keeshond Rescue. In late 2013, early 2014, a group of dedicated Keeshond rescuers saved and found foster homes for the 60 Kees they were able to pull out of Marjorie’s Kennel, which many have already been adopted. Now she is refusing to let her 40 + remaining Keeshonden go to Keeshond Rescue as she had promised. Here is an inspiring video from the rescue efforts of Marjorie’s Kennel from this past winter.
I have personally met a few of the Kees that were saved earlier this year from Marjorie’s Kennel, including Sapphire, the one that you see in the petition’s picture. It just broke my heart to see how scared and in poor condition they were. However, now they are transforming into the wonderful breed that they are… in their loving new homes, they have their beautiful coat and are happy and learning to trust people. Here is the story of one of those Keeshonden, just a puppy, rescued from Marjorie’s Kennel…
Governor Cuomo’s Contact Information: Fax: 518.474.1513 (may be the best method because it’s the most direct) Email: gov.cuomo@chamber.state.ny.us Mail: The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor, State of New York
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Clancy and all Kees everywhere would appreciate your efforts to help their kind. We thank you for anything you do to help put a stop to Puppy Mills. If you are looking for a Keeshond puppy or any kind of dog, please read my article on “Where to Find Your New Best Friend” (at the bottom of the August 2013 blog post in that link).
I do hope you take a moment to read about a movement that is near and dear to Clancy and I’s heart. Clancy would give you a high five and many Keesie kisses!
It’s that time of year again when everyone in your workplace has an extra big smile and perhaps a little extra furry accessories on their work clothes.
The first Friday after Father’s Day is the annual “Bring Your Dog to Work Day”! This year it’s Friday, June 20th. How much joy a well-behaved dog brings to everyone they encounter in the workplace! Also think about the fun your dog will have spending extra time with you on a “field trip”!
Check out http://www.takeyourdog.com/About/ for more information and details about this wonderful initiative to have your furry best friend spend a day at the office with you! If you can’t bring your dog, at least bring a picture of him/her and place it at your workstation for the day. Get people talking about how wonderful man’s best friend is which should brighten up the day even if your pet wasn’t there. Then perhaps if enough people talk about it, next year your workplace will participate! (It’s actually encouraged to bring you pet to work WEEK leading up to the Friday where the actual event is celebrated.)
Check out Clancy visiting the Signature Properties, LLC office in Washington, DC (my part-time job when I’m not doing FUNanimal Pet Services) below. Do keep in mind, you should have your dog trained to be calm, quiet, and completely house-broken before they hang out with you all day in your workplace. You want your pup to leave a lasting positive impression for more opportunities to bring your dog with you to places! (If you need help training your dog to be well-behaved, contact me!)
Wow, what an incredible and productive two months that Clancy and I have had! I have so much to write about, so stay tuned to Kees Of Dog’s Delight this summer! For now, to keep my promise to the FUNanimal Pet Services Facebook fans, here is Clancy and I’s first dog trick training video demonstration. This is how to teach your dog to sit up on their hind legs like a bunny… often called the “sit pretty” or “beg” trick! It’s a very cute trick that you can build on to do other fun and more complicated tricks.
Trick training is one of the best things you can do with your dog. It stimulates their mind, builds a stronger bond between the two of you, and gives them a “job” to do (not to mention how much fun it is to hear the “oohs and ahhs” from spectators). Trick training should always be a fun time with your dog! You must never get frustrated (just quit that session if you start to feel any change in your demeanor) and always set realistic goals in a training session. It does take patience, a lot of positive reinforcement and time. However, before you know it, your dog will catch on and be happy to have learned something that pleases you. Soon, I will write a full article on dog tricks, the benefits of training, some tips and more videos of other tricks that Clancy knows. For now, enjoy seeing some of the things that your dog may be capable of!
I’d like to share with you the video I submitted as part of Clancy’s Trick Dog Champion title application… I had to keep to a certain format for the application’s sake, so Clancy does have many more tricks up his furry sleeve! Before you watch, please keep this in mind:
Clancy had to demonstrate in this lengthy video that he could perform the foundation of many dog tricks: Coordination, Mouth Targets, Paw Targets, Finding the Scent (this section is kind of long because you had to do this multiple times in a row without being edited), Being able to work at a Distance from you, using only Silent cues, and then you finally get to the really fun tricks… demonstrating a behavior Chain and Expert level Tricks (which some were also performed to demonstrate other categories of the application.) I will eventually compose highlight videos of Clancy’s best tricks… many of which didn’t fit in this trick dog champion title application video. Check out our FUNanimal Twitter and/or Facebook page to be alerted when one is posted on YouTube!
While I am proud to brag that Clancy is the first titled “Trick Dog Champion” Keeshond (and was the first Intermediate, Advanced and Expert titled Kees 😉 ), I’d like to give a shout out to A*Starz Through the Looking Glass, aka “Allison”, for being the first ever titled Trick Dog (novice) Keeshond. Thank you, Donna Stekli, for introducing me to the sport of dog tricks. Congrats to the other titled Keeshond Trick Dogs out there and everyone that “does more with their dog”.
Keeshonden are super smart and may test your patience with their bad behavior they are capable of when they are bored… teaching them tricks is the perfect way to stimulate them and to distract them while having FUN (Keesies are all about FUN!)
So please have fun watching (I hope to get some “oohs and ahhs” out of you) and check back here occasionally for more information and to see more videos and posts of Clancy’s tricks and other going on’s. Please be sure to watch the last few minutes of the video for the best tricks. Enjoy!
(I do offer trick training classes in my new pet services business, FUNanimal Pet Services, LLC. If you’re interested and in the DC area, please let me know! Clancy and I are also available to do trick shows… so if you want to liven up your party, get-together, workplace or any event with the fluffiest, cutest (IMO), and smartest dog around, let me know!)
Heel. Sit. Stay. Come. “Boring…” may be what your dog is thinking as it mechanically completes the requested actions from their master. While an obedient dog is to be respected in the community, especially in competition, it may not be very fun for many dogs. Fortunately, there is an alternative (or just a fun extra dog sport to be involved in!)
It’s RALLY Obedience! Watch Clancy and I in a Rally trial here:
What is Rally Obedience? Imagine being in the competition ring and being able to talk as much as you want to your dog, even in your puppy-wuppy voice if you wish! Pat your leg to encourage your dog to stay with you, repeat the commands to your dog if you need to and just be as silly as you want, to RALLY your dog as you follow a course of signs indicating what you’re supposed to do. It’s so much better than trying to remember an obedience course and listening to a judge telling you what you should do. You can even say “re-do!” when you know you’ve messed up and want to re-do the station.
Rally should be fun and encouraging! Clancy and I working as a team in our first AKC Rally trial.
That’s what makes Rally Obedience fun and a great way to either start in or enhance your teamwork skills to improve in any dog sport. Rally is a relatively new dog sport focused on success in obedience in a more relaxed setting than regular Obedience. It is offered by various governing bodies. Clancy and I compete in both the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club since that’s what’s offered in our area.
In Rally, there is a course composed of signed stations that tell you what to do. Your dog heels beside you as you approach the signs that range in telling you to turn in a specific direction, circle, or giving your dog a command or series of commands. Clancy loves that we can have fun together through the excitement of my voice and the encouragement in moving my arms. I enjoy the challenge of having to quickly read the signs and remember what they said… having to ensure I complete all parts of the station while being mindful of my positioning… and being sure to sound upbeat and positive to keep Clancy motivated!
It’s also fun that any dog over 6 months of age is welcome to compete, you just need to register with the organization (mixed breed dogs can do this too!)
In Rally trial competitions, you will be given a map of the course when you check in. Before your class level starts, you will have at least 10 minutes to be able to walk the course and should practice with an “imaginary dog”. (Your real dog should either be crated or held by someone outside of the ring at this time.)
You get to walk through the course before your competition level begins and ask the judge any questions!
RALLYCOMPETITIONS (Trials)
The ring steward will call you “on deck” when you are next to enter the ring to be sure you are ready to approach the “Start” sign as the previous dog exits the ring.
A Rally exhibitor on deck to go in the ring next.
When you approach the “Start” sign, you have your dog sitting (or standing) to your left in heel position. The judge will ask “Are you ready?” (now take a deep breath and make sure your dog is focused on you), and when you reply, “Yes”, they are able to start judging you and you can no longer touch your dog. The judge will say “Forward” and you then tell your dog to heel as you head to the first station. A timer begins as soon as you pass the “Start” sign.
In both the AKC and the UKC, you begin the course with the perfect score of 100 points. Points are deducted throughout the time you are in the ring anytime you and your dog are not exhibiting the ideal vision of a Rally run. These could include if your dog is lagging behind while heeling (though it is nice that unlike traditional Obedience, they aren’t looking for “perfect heel position”), not responding to a command or taking an excessive amount of time to obey your command, or handler errors such as having a tight lead, slowing to the dog’s pace, performing part or all of a station incorrectly, touching your dog, etc.
The judge is looking for you and your dog to walk briskly and most importantly, work together as a positive team. Harsh corrections (such as jerking the leash or yelling at your dog) will be severely penalized and may “NQ” you (Non-Qualify). Be sure to read and to understand the Rally regulations of the organization that you are competing in (they do vary slightly, along with the signs) AKC Rally Regulations and Description of Signs
Scores are posted next to your armband number after your run. Times are not disclosed until after placements have been announced.
A qualifying score in the AKC and UKC is 70 points. At any point during the course your deductions put you lower than the 70 points qualifying score, you are then marked “NQ” and are excused from the ring. Sometimes, depending on the judge and how busy the schedule is, they may let you complete the course as a training opportunity. At the end of each Rally level, the judge will ask all those that received a qualifying score back into the ring to award them all a Qualifying Score ribbon, which also means you earned a “leg” towards that level’s Rally title. They will also award those that received their third “leg” a ribbon for receiving a new title. The judge will then announce the 1st place, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners based on the highest scores.
If there is a tied score, the tie is broken by whoever had the fastest time (which is the only reason they time you.) Only twice has time been a factor for Clancy and I… which is suspenseful because while you can see what everyone’s score is ahead of time, you don’t know the times and just have to wait to hear the placements from the judge. If the judge isn’t too busy, you may approach them after the awards presentation for your class and ask them what stations did you lose points on so you know what you need to work on for next time.
Clancy and Stacie earn their AKC Rally Novice title and 1st place!
MORE RALLY SPECIFICS AND TIPS
Rally Obedience is a fun way to train your dog obedience and a variety of additional listening skills, for there are a large variety of exercises and many of them defy the set traditional Obedience exercises. For example, the “Call Front, Finish Left, Forward” exercise. While you are heeling, you tell your dog to “come front” where they walk past you and do a U-turn to sit directly in front of you. You then tell your dog to return to heel position by doing another U-turn on your left, HOWEVER, unlike traditional obedience where the dog should immediately sit on your left automatically, you start moving forward as soon as your dog clears your path before they had a chance to get into the heel position, which makes the dog have to catch up to you to heel by your side.
Some of the signs can be difficult to understand which is why it’s always good to either take a Rally Obedience class or participate in “run-thru’s” which are often held by local dog training or kennel clubs (often you don’t even have to be a member, you just pay a fee to do a run-thru and instructors or knowledgeable volunteers will answer any questions you have and correct you if you make a mistake.) Join Clancy and I for Rally Run-thrus! Check out our FUNanimal Meet-up Group.
Well, I could go on and on and on about Rally Obedience (and I will), but the goal of this article was to introduce you to this fast growing sport that serves not only as a wonderful foundation to get you ready to compete in other dog sports, but it is a fun way to train your dog to want to listen to you and strengthens your bond. I also find that Rally Obedience offers new challenges you don’t see in other dog sports. Having to focus on the signs and remember exactly what they said (it’s an entirely different experience in the competition ring… you and/or your dog may suddenly seem like you’ve never done it before… the sign says do a circle to your left and you circle to your right, or the dog doesn’t seem to remember what “sit” means).
Clancy tied for 1st place in Rally Advanced, however we had the slower time so we took the 2nd place honors.
Not to mention all the distractions you could encounter in the competition ring that you don’t see in practice runs or at home. Such as a wooly caterpillar crossing your path so your dog stops heeling to investigate and finds it more interesting than listening to you… (ahem, Clancy!) Or new smells draw your dog’s attention away from you, or loud noises, or just other dogs. That’s why it is best to practice random exercises during your travels with your dog. While you’re shopping at the pet store together, suddenly do a “come front, finish” exercise… while you’re taking a walk past a barking dog behind a fence, suddenly do a 360 degree turn while telling your dog to look at you instead of the barking dog.
Repetition, repetition, repetition in a variety of settings with a treat that you can give your dog quickly (and that they can consume quickly) as soon as you get the desired behavior from your dog, will eventually get you to where you want to be. The more you do it, the better you’ll both get! Do not give up on your dog!
Even spending just a couple minutes every day practicing a move or two will make you a better team!
Being owned by a Keeshond, I have learned you also need to share in the sense of humor they have. They are fun-loving dogs that want to please you, but also just want to have fun. Especially with emotional breeds such as the Keeshond, Rally Obedience is a wonderful way to increase your dog’s focus, your trust and bond, and enhance your training while meeting lots of great people!
(Live in the DC area? I have just started a Meet-up group through Meetup.com to practice Rally Obedience and traditional Obedience (with other fun dog stuff in the works). Learn more at www.Meetup.com/FUNanimal or on my business website: www.FUNanimalPet.com)
Rally Obedience… Another way of being your dog’s best friend! ~ SSB
P.S. Look for future blogs targeting the different levels of Rally Obedience. ALSO, Coming Soon: I will share my experience of competing in the AKC Rally Nationals Competition in Harrisburg, PA with Clancy that was on Friday, March 28th! Thanks for reading!
Finally!!! Here is a video of some of my Keeshond, Clancy’s tricks! Clancy and I had a blast meeting new people, visiting exhibits, watching demonstrations and participating in the Dog Talent Show at Maryland DogFest yesterday! (Unfortunately due to the unpredictable climate in early March in Maryland, the Ultimate Air Dogs dock diving competitions were cancelled.) 😦
Clancy wins 1st place at the 2014 Maryland DogFest talent show… that’s two years in a row! Here he is holding a gift bag with his 1st Place certificate next to two of his famous trick props.
We had Rally Obedience run-thrus in the morning, so I wasn’t sure what Clancy had left in the tank for his talent show performance here. I also have been so busy, that I didn’t figure out what I was going to do until 5 minutes before the show.
There were many dogs in the contest and Clancy and I were called up last. After watching other competitors, I decided not to duplicate the other dog’s tricks (I didn’t want Clancy to entirely steal the show 😉 ). Though Clancy has many more tricks up his sleeve, we’ll save them to share with everyone another day. (I also had a time limit to try to stay within at the talent show.) Next time we do a routine, we will be more polished and show off even more tricks!
For now, enjoy! The theme of our performance is sharing some of the traits of the Keeshond with the audience. (Oh, and we did win 1st place by a unanimous vote from the judges.) 😀
P.S. We have a Rally Obedience trial and Obedience Novice trial later this week. Then we have the 2014 AKC Rally Nationals later this month! (Wish us luck!) That Rally blog WILL be posted by the end of March. 🙂
P.S.S. I do plan on writing a dog tricks blog in the near future, too! Trick training is a great way to have fun, strengthen your bond and challenge your dog!
P.S.S.S. I am just starting up a pet services business where I also offer dog trick training! Visit www.FUNanimalPet.com to learn more about it!
My Keeshond, Clancy, loves a challenge. “Silly humans”, he thinks to himself, “you think this child/pet gate will prevent me from going where I want to?”
Since I wanted to have some sort of post in February, I thought I would share this fun (well, not so fun when I really want the gate to restrain Clancy) video and slideshow of how Clancy feels about not being able to be where he wants to be (and that’s either with me or eating cat food.)
Please forgive me, I’m going to be a little late publishing a “real post” for February (hey, it’s a short month!) I did finally get my photos off of my old laptop and can now finish up my article on Rally Obedience, so look forward to that in the coming weeks! Clancy and I actually qualified and are entered into the 2014 AKC Rally Nationals coming up at the end of March. Prior to that, we’re hoping to get our 3rd leg to get our Rally Advanced title in York, Pennsylvania. We’re also entered into Obedience Novice in York to try to get our 2nd leg of our Companion Dog title.
Another fun March event we will be doing is the Maryland Dog Fest, where Clancy is entered into the Dog’s Got Talent show! I know I haven’t showed off how truly talented he is yet on here, but I promise to post videos soon of his large variety of tricks, many of which are very unique!
Here’s a sneak preview:
In the meantime, could you help vote Clancy as the “Cutest Dog of Maryland DogFest”? (Because you know he likely will be, but the dog with the most Facebook votes wins the title!) Just go to this link https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maryland-DogFest/369879699699485?sk=app_292725327421649&app_data (you’ll have to “like” Maryland DogFest’s page… which is likeable!) and then go to “Photos”. Look for Clancy’s pic of him when he was a 5 month old puppy in his life jacket… the pic is titled “Ready for Summer & swimming!”. Thanks so much!
Many dogs love the snow, the Keeshond adores it! Clancy looks up as if to say, “C’mon out! The snow is great!”
While most dogs would want to be indoors (and should be!) cuddling with their human friends in front of the fireplace during the extreme cold spells and snow that have been blanketing much of North America this winter season, there are a few breeds that would actually want to spend more time outdoors. As you may guess from their fur coat, the Keeshond would be one of them!
Clancy enjoys the companionship of the snow when he can.
The Keeshond is known as a “Velcro Dog”, always wanting to be by your side. It doesn’t matter how deep asleep my Kees, Clancy, is or how quietly I try to exit a room… he pops right up and trots to my side to escort me WHEREEVER I go, and he will plop right back down at my feet when we reach our new destination. I have found that the only thing that can detach us is snow. That freezing fluffy white stuff trumps me!
Clancy wishing that the weather was like this everyday.
As much fun as a Kees may have in the snow, there are some precautions that all dog owners should take to ensure that it remains all fun and games in the snow.
As we struggle to keep our footing in the slippery conditions that winter brings, keep in mind that salts, de-icers and other chemicals are dangerous for your pets. Try to use kitty litter or sand for traction instead. If you must use a chemical, supervise your pet in those areas to make sure they don’t drink from puddles and remove the slush and dissolved product as soon as possible. Wash paws after exposure. Being a fuzz-butt mom, I keep baby wipes at the door at all times anyway.
Clancy loves to bury his face in the snow.
Staying warm uses up more energy. Pets that spend a lot of time outside need more food, especially protein. Ask your vet if you should vary your pet’s diet for the winter if your dog spends a lot of time outside in the cold. Dehydration is often a forgotten danger of the bitter cold, for water sources freeze outside. Also avoid using metal bowls this time of year (if you don’t know already from watching “A Christmas Story”, yes, tongues will stick to metal in below freezing temperatures.)
My snow angel, Clancy.
Check paws to pull out any snowballs that have gathered in between pads which are not only uncomfortable, but also could lead to frostbite! Snowballs accrue quickly around the furry pads of the Keeshond’s feet.
Be aware that frigid weather lessens the sense of smell, causing more cases of lost dogs than any other time of the year. Keep your pet leashed or fenced in as they frolic in the snow with an ID tag.
Young Clancy with his best feline friend, “Mr. D”.
One of the reasons I chose to get a Keeshond was for their love of all living things, especially because they are known to get along well with cats.
So Clancy would appreciate if I gave a public service announcement on behalf of his feline friends. To protect your vehicle’s engine and to save an animal’s life, remember to knock on the hood of your car or honk your horn before starting your car. Engines can stay warm for hours after being shut off, offering an enticing warm shelter for cats. Before using the remote start feature, give a quick press of the “panic” button on your car key first to scare away any unsuspecting sleeping felines.
Another vehicle-related danger of winter is exposure to anti-freeze. Ingesting as little as a teaspoon of the harmful chemical of ethylene glycol can kill. It’s sweet taste unfortunately attracts pets, so be sure to promptly clean up any spills and keep it out of pet’s reach.
Clancy ready to play hockey!
Okay, so now that we’re more aware of things that could harm our beloved pets, let’s discuss fun things you can do in the snow with your dog!
Many dogs enjoy “snowball toss”… Clancy will jump up in the air to catch and eat snowballs tossed his way. He also enjoys snow drift bouncing… where I encourage him to hop up on snow drifts and hills as I run alongside him. Clancy enthusiastically bounces from mound to mound, and if it’s soft and powdery, he will burrow into the snow drifts.
Clancy loves snow mounds!
Another fun game is having him wait where he is, then walking a good distance away, kneel down, stick your hand in the snow and wave it back and forth just under the surface making the snow ripple. I then tell Clancy to “come and get it get it get it!” and he runs as fast as he can to come and pounce on my hand under the snow. It’s great exercise for the dog and also gives you a chance to reinforce the “come” command. Another fun game is to toss a smelly treat into the snow or bury a favorite toy and telling your dog to “find it!” Clancy enjoys running along the snow with his nose to the ground. Sometimes he does need hints, but the excitement when he finds the item has to make you smile.
Clancy playing goalie
If you have a safe opportunity to do so, playing hockey with a soft item with your dog is fun and exercise for all. Chasing the “puck” or letting your dog play “goalie” or just carefully stick handling with a puck around your dogs legs are some fun ways to interact with your pup in the cold. Run around in cleats if you’re not experienced wearing ice skates so you don’t risk hurting your dog with the sharp blades of skates! Also, limit your time on ice with your pup to give his/her paws a break. If the ice is choppy or has lots of cuts in it from ice skates, be aware that it is sharp and could cut the pads of your pup’s feet, so use caution or buy booties for your pup.
We’d love to hear what your dog thinks of the snow and any outdoor snow games that you enjoy together!
Please share in the comments!
They are your best friend… Be your dog’s best friend! ~ SSB
Looking for the perfect last minute gift for the Keeshond lover in your life?
If you know somebody that has ever had a Keeshond, then you have likely heard all about how wonderful of a dog they had. Keeshond lovers are passionate about their breed and know how sensitive, loyal, loving, intelligent, sweet, (and I could go on and on with more adjectives to describe the Kees) of a dog they are. To know the Keeshond, is to love the Keeshond. Which is why the following gift idea could mean more than any other gift you could give this holiday season!
Currently, there is a large-scale effort to rescue numerous Keeshonden from a large-volume puppy mill that is closing down in New York. (Read more about What is a Puppy Mill?) Puppy mill life is deplorable, especially for the “Velcro Dog”, aka our Keeshond. The bills for such a rescue effort are enormous. In order for all of the 100+ puppy mill Kees to enjoy a new life, there will be transportation costs, spay/neuter costs, other various veterinary bills and miscellaneous expenses. Every dollar donated helps to make this massive Kees rescue successful. Please consider making a donation of any dollar amount in the name of the Keeshond lover in your life to Bay Area Rescue Keeshonden (aka “BARK,” a non-profit 501c organization… so your donations would be tax-deductible), whom is collecting and organizing all donations for this project. (Remember to check with your employer to see if they will match your donation!) Donation information is in this video (which is a nice tribute to the rescue efforts underway) and again at the bottom of this post.
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TO GIVE THIS AS A GIFT TO SOMEONE…
After you make a donation to BARK for this NY puppy mill rescue effort, e-mail me either a snapshot of your PayPal receipt (leaving out any personal data) or of your check (conceal your account information) and I will e-mail you this Certificate of Appreciation for your donation for you to print out to give as a gift for the Kees lover in your life.
Give a Kees lover a heartwarming gift of helping to give the NY puppy mill Keeshonden a new life!
Please provide the gift recipient’s name, your name to be placed on the certificate and if you prefer, a clear picture of your special Kees to replace the picture of Clancy on it. Also, please indicate if you would like the donation amount on the certificate or have it just read “a donation”. (See form at the bottom of this post.)
The puppy mill closure is a huge victory for not only the current 100+ Keeshonden who have known no love, no exercise, no grooming, no human socialization or any idea how fun it is to be the “Smiling Dutchman”, but also for what would have been more generations of the same misery for many of their offspring. This massive Kees rescue underway is to save, care for, and place these puppy mill Keeshonden in homes, even if they are just temporary homes for now. After some rehabilitation, they will get to know what it’s like to be a true Keeshond and that helps heal the Keeshond lover’s heartbreak of the sad situation that they, and their ancestors, used to be in.
To help this cause:
Donate via PayPal: the email address is paypal@keeshondrescue.org or use the PayPal button on the home page for this huge rescue effort: www.keeshondrescue.org. Please indicate that your donation is for the NY Puppymill Dogs!
BARK is a 501c3 charity. Donations are tax-deductible. Their EIN number is 41-2049201. Send checks to:
Clancy is the first titled “Expert Trick Dog” Keeshond on record!
Here is one of his expert level tricks… opening and closing the door introduced with him “rescuing me” from being “trapped” in the closet! After I taught him this trick, he surprised me in the bathroom. Lever-style doorknob owners, beware! (Hmm, I may be regretting that I taught him this…)
Clancy has truly opened up my eyes to the potential that all dogs have that most humans aren’t aware of. My main mission with my Kees Of Dog’s Delight blog is to encourage all dog owners to enrich their dog’s life, which in turn enriches the dog owner’s life through socialization and the benefits you gain from the strong bond you create with your dog. Though I love all types of dogs, cats, and just all animals, Clancy has ignited a passion in me for the Keeshond, so from time to time you will see more Kees oriented posts, especially while the Keeshond community works on rescuing 60 + Keeshonden from one of the worst puppy mills in the U.S. (Learn more at www.KeesRescue.com)
Clancy and I have met so many wonderful people together just by being out through our various activities. Clancy brings so much joy to everyone that crosses his path and has many fans who would like to see more of him. Since we do go to so many places and do so many things together (in various States, too!), there will be a new category of the blog dedicated to the Clancy fans! (Look for the category “Clancy – My Keeshond” for just fun Clancy updates, pics and videos.) NEW: Clancy has his own Facebook Page! Follow Clancy’s adventures, see him do tricks on #TrickTuesday and cute retro pics of Clancy on #ThrowbackThursday by “Liking” Clancy, the fluffy trick dog – Keeshond on Facebook!
So, here’s Clancy! The UKC Altered Champion, Rally Obedience level 3, United Junior Jumper (1st UKC dock diving titled Keeshond), AKC Companion Dog Excellent, Rally Advanced Excellent, Dock Junior (1st AKC dock diving titled Keeshond), Advanced Canine Good Citizen, AKC Therapy Dog titled, Ultimate Air Dogs AND North American Diving Dogs Dock Junior titled, and the first CHAMPION Trick Dog titled Keeshond! *More training for other titles are always in progress!
Remember… though the dog is IN your life, you ARE the dog’s life.
Everyday a dog needs to be fed, given fresh water, exercise, companionship, playtime, and mental stimulation. Some days you’ll have less time to devote those things to your dog, but they still must be done in fairness to your fur-pal. Here are some tips for those days:
Mornings are a chaotic time in any household, and one family member that can get lost in the shuffle is Fido. Your dog still needs attention, even though you are in a rush to get out of the house. The American Kennel Club offers the following tips to help you prepare the night before to make sure your dog gets what he needs and you get to work on time.
Put your dog’s breakfast in his dish and cover it. Don’t forget to put it on the counter out of his reach! If his food is canned or perishable, make sure to refrigerate it.
Prepare for your morning walk in advance by leaving the leash and pickup bags by the door. You can also leave extra bags by the door for your evening walk to save time when you get home.
Check the weather forecast each evening and get together…
While much of America is enjoying their feast with the family and fur-family, Clancy and I hope you keep these tips in mind to make sure the rest of your day and evening stays happy! (This is from an article I wrote earlier this month. 🙂 )
Clancy wishes all of his fans a Happy “Howl-oween”!!!
New blog post about Rally Obedience is almost finished! Check back here soon to learn how you and your dog can share in a fun learning experience together!
— UPDATE — AHHH!!! The laptop that has my Rally videos and pictures is on the fritz. Hoping to get it fixed soon so I can get my new blog post up here asap.
With all the dog events that Clancy and I have been involved in lately, I have a long list of ideas for future blog posts!
Within the last 30 days, Clancy completed his AKC Rally Novice title in style by winning 1st place with 94 points and in his following trial the next day, scored even higher with 98 points and took 1st place again. (I had entered him into two Rally Novice A trials over the weekend though we only needed one more leg for our RN title just in case something went wrong on the Saturday.)
Then on this past Sunday, Clancy and I were in our first AKC Obedience trial. Not being able to encourage Clancy through the course in the ring was a challenge (which you are able to do in Rally Obedience). He didn’t happily oblige to heeling in the Obedience ring as he does in Rally and Clancy also decided to be a funny guy on the recall by almost running by me to say hi to the people and dogs behind me. (Fortunately, he corrected himself and promptly returned in front of me in a partly sideways sit, as if he started to get back in heel position and then suddenly remembered he was supposed to be in front of me.) We still did better than the other dogs in Novice A and earned 1st place with 181 points and more importantly, obtained our first leg of our Companion Dog title. 🙂
Though Clancy’s keeshond sense of humor did come out during our first Obedience Novice trial, we still got our 1st leg of our CD and 1st place!
Over the past month, Clancy also achieved brightening up the day of dozens and dozens of elderly residents in nursing homes through our Pets On Wheels visits. He received rounds of applause from his trick shows he performed for them and lots of love and compliments. Most importantly, Clancy did get some patients suffering from dementia to break temporarily from their spell to pet Clancy.
This weekend Clancy and I are entered in another UKC Altered Conformation show and we are entered in three Rally Obedience level 2 trials. I’m hoping to accomplish his UKC R02 title all in one weekend. Graduating to all off-leash with the off-set figure 8 challenge (where we have to do a figure 8 circling bowls of treats and/or toys) is going to be a huge challenge for Clancy!
Next week things finally slow down, so I hope to write a detailed blog post on how fun and challenging Rally Obedience is! Til then, please share what you’ve been up with your furry best friend!?
And I thought August was a busy month! How is it the last day of September already?!?
Oh, how Clancy and I love the Fall. With cooler temperatures enticing us to spend more time outdoors, dog shows, Rally trials, dog clubs, and yada yada yada… I have “fall”en behind with my September blog post.
Clancy and I enjoyed so many activities together throughout the month of August and we hope to encourage you to go try something new with your dog! “Part 2” of Dock Diving with the Flying Fluff-ball blog post is still in progress pending more information that I’m gathering from various resources. So in the meantime … enjoy!
Clancy brought a friend to dock diving practice with him. One of his best friends, “Annie”, a Cattle Dog Mix, made her first baby step towards the introduction of the sport of dock diving by getting a swimming lesson… or more like a “getting used to the water lesson”. (Pictured above.)
Since Clancy brings smiles to so many people’s face when we’re out and about, I wanted to share him with those that could really use a smile by becoming a Pets On Wheels volunteer. We had our first visit with a senior assisted living facility in early August and just had another visit recently with another facility targeting the dementia guests. Clancy was such a champ as he happily greeted dozens and dozens of elders. He even performed some tricks that earned him rounds of applause. Clancy was tuckered out after his hour and a half visit (pictured above) and we look forward to returning there in a couple of weeks. *More on Therapy Dog work in a future blog post!
Despite being late to compete in an AKC Rally Obedience trial due to an absurd amount of traffic which caused us to literally run straight from the car to walking into the Rally course blind, Clancy and I earned our 2nd leg towards his AKC Rally Novice title. I was concentrating so much on making sure Clancy was only paying attention to me and not to all of the new distractions we just walked into that I didn’t perform the first station, a figure 8, correctly. I crossed the center point 4 times instead of 3 resulting in a 10 point deduction, but at least it was our only deduction. We still managed placing 2nd with 90 points and hope to finish up his RN title within a few weeks. *More on Rally Obedience in a future blog post!
Clancy, with my dad, at the State Fair while I was checking out the bee exhibit. Clancy seemed to be one of the most popular “walking exhibits” throughout the day.
Last weekend was “Volunteer Appreciation Day” at the Maryland State Fair. Normally dogs are not permitted at the State Fair, but Clancy was welcomed because he is a volunteer as a therapy dog with Pets On Wheels. Fortunately, the weather was just tolerable for him to join me with a high of 80 degrees F. We actually didn’t make it to all the things we were hoping to see, but it was still a lot of fun. Imagine you were walking at a highly attended public event with a celebrity, or in this case, with a beautiful creature that no one has seen before… that’s what it was like for us while we were there.
Pets On Wheels volunteer, Clancy, admiring an agricultural exhibit at the State Fair on Volunteer Appreciation Day.
We never made it more than 20 or so feet without being stopped by what would start out as a couple of people, but then quickly multiplied into a dozen amazed and curious people. Now only if the Keeshond Club of America paid me a dime for every time I answered “What kind of dog IS THAT?” I would have been able to take off work this week! I do love it when people know what kind of dog Clancy is, even if they pronounce it wrong (see my “What is a Keeshond” page). Several families tracked us down (they said they saw us through the crowd and just had to catch up to us) that used to have a Keeshond in their lives. It was heartwarming to hear their stories.
Clancy and I with the honorable UKC Judge Rolando Mata whom awarded Clancy Best in Show Altered in Show 2 on September 1, 2013. Clancy won 2 BIS and 1 RBIS out of the 4 altered shows this weekend!
To close up the month of August and to begin September, Clancy is competing in United Kennel Club dog shows this weekend again. Today we took Best In Show (Altered) in the morning show and Reserve Best in Show (Altered) in the afternoon show! We hope we can have similar accomplishments tomorrow. Clancy is an “Altered Champion” with the UKC and now we’re working towards earning his Grand Championship title. (Picture above is Clancy with his ribbons he earned today and his best feline friend.) **UPDATE** Clancy took Best In Show Altered in Sunday, 9/1, afternoon’s show! 😀
With Clancy and I accomplishing all this in one month (plus our weekly dog training club activities), we hope to inspire you to go out and do an activity with your dog! Don’t have one yet? Perhaps my first physical print article (another August milestone for me that will be showing up in a local publication next week) can help you with that! It is titled “Where to Find Your New Best Friend” (the picture above was taken of Clancy at 6 weeks old when it was decided that we were going to be best friends!) I fine-tuned it below by generalizing some things to make it more useful for the general public. Please keep in mind that I was limited on how many words I could have in my article… if I had more space, I would have liked to have been more detailed!
“Where to Find Your New Best Friend” by Stacie B.
Did you know that the secret to living a longer and healthier life may be who you choose to be your best friend? Where can you find a best friend that lowers your blood pressure just by being close to you, who will love you no matter what and never argue with you?
The answer may be right in your own town. Your county shelter has a wide variety of furry, scaly or feathery friends to choose from! Take a peek right now online at www.petharbor.com to see the large variety of animals near you that need homes right now. There are so many kittens, cats, puppies and dogs (mixed and pure-breeds!) hoping for the opportunity to be your companion. You could even find “Other” animal types such as gerbils, rabbits, birds, reptiles or even farm animals there too!
So, you have your heart set on a certain dog breed? Have the animal shelter contact you if your ideal pet comes in! To make sure you and your breed of choice will be happy together, visit www.akc.org/breeds to do your research ahead of time. Too many dogs are given up because their owner wasn’t prepared for their breed specific traits! If you are interested in a mixed-breed, be sure to research all the breeds that are part of that mix. You will also find the contact information in that link for the “AKC parent club” of each breed to help you find your breed’s rescue or to help you find a responsible and legitimate breeder (see “Breeder Referral” in the above link). Please be sure to do your research on the breeder, ask them lots of questions and talk to their references. Be prepared to walk away if something doesn’t seem right.
Where do you NOT want to buy a puppy? At a pet store or through the Internet without visiting the source! You would likely be supporting the inhumane puppy mill industry and odds are you’ll end up being heartbroken with a pup that has health, socialization and/or behavior problems. An Internet search for “puppy mills” will yield much information on this inhumane trade.
So what are you waiting for? Your Best Friend is out there waiting for you!
Ultimate Air Dogs dock diving competitions… On left: Clancy waiting his turn to dock dive at “The Andersons” in Ohio. On right: Clancy dock diving at Maryland Dogfest.
“Here is a treat that you never see in the sport of dock diving… a Keeshond!” exclaimed Milt Wilcox, the founder of Ultimate Air Dogs dock diving, to the audience as I lead Clancy onto the dock platform leading to the approximately 40 foot long pool.
Clancy watching a Lab jump in the Extreme Vertical dock jumping competition
While you will see a lot of Labs and lately the Belgian Malinois dominating the dog dock diving sports, the dynamics of the professional dock diving leagues encourages any water loving dog to join in the fun. Every kind of dog has a chance to not only enjoy just participating in the sport, but also there is ample opportunity to actually compete for recognition and prizes (in some cases), because of the jumping distance divisions. This allows Sheepdogs, Dachshunds, Great Danes and even the Yorkie to enjoy the cheers of an audience as they fly weightless through the air before submerging themselves in a cool body of water.
Two years ago, while cleaning up the spilled water around Clancy’s water bowl, I questioned myself “why did I choose the puppy that was digging the water out of the water dish?” (Which when given the opportunity, he still does to this day!) Perhaps it was a sign of destiny. Just one week after bringing our new Keeshond puppy home, we headed to the lake house my husband grew up at in Michigan. Our 9 week old Kees puppy took to the lake immediately and he went for his first swim.
Clancy has always loved the water… any dog who who enjoys the water can enjoy dock diving!
At nearly 6 months old, Clancy loved swimming and retrieving, but couldn’t be convinced to jump off of the dock yet.
Several months later, we vacationed on another lake and Clancy immediately was eager to get in the water. We did get him a life jacket to give him more stamina in the water. All that fur can weigh a Kees down! We tried to encourage him to jump off the dock into the water, but instead he would run back to shore and then swim out to retrieve his stick.
The following summer, we returned to my mother-in-law’s lake house in Michigan and wanted to see if we could get Clancy to jump off the dock into the lake. We ran down the dock with Clancy at our feet and jumped in ourselves. Clancy put on the brakes and bowed at the end of the dock, barking ecstatically at us in the water just ahead of him. I slapped the water and encouraged him to jump in. The “Velcro dog’s” (one of a few nick-names for a Keeshond) desire to re-attach himself to us took over, so Clancy stopped barking and took the leap of faith!
One of Clancy’s first dock jumps…. July 2012
As I talked about our vacation to a local dog lover, they encouraged me to try the sport of dock diving and told me about a facility that had the regulation size dock and pool that had open practices not too far from where we lived. Just for fun, I headed there with Clancy, not even considering competition. After all, I thought a Keeshond could never be in the same league as the Labs, Retrievers and other “sporting dogs”. Well, Clancy didn’t know he was a “non-sporting” breed and leapt off the dock with just as much enthusiasm!
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As Keeshond owners know, we get all kinds of attention when we’re out in public with our unique smiling fluff-balls. Seeing a Keeshond take part in dock diving makes everyone do a double-take! “That fluffy dog can’t swim, can it?” Yes, he can swim very well! “You can’t let that coat get wet, it will take days to dry!” Actually, it dries quite quickly and as long as you groom him before getting wet, it’s not difficult to turn him back into a big fluff-ball. Everyone enjoys seeing the transformation of the dry Kees versus the wet Kees too! It’s almost like one dog goes in and a different dog climbs out… with gallons of water pouring off the coat. Probably the biggest workout of it all for Clancy is the climb out of the pool with his saturated coat adding all that extra weight.
Clancy’s transformation of being a dry Keeshond to wet to mostly dry again in less than a half hour!
Socializing with the dock dog enthusiasts, they encouraged me to compete with Clancy. I learned there are a few different dock diving organizations in the United States which are Ultimate Air Dogs (UAD) (www.ultimateairdogs.com), Dock Dogs (www.dockdogs.com) and Splash Dogs (www.splashdogs.com). While there are some differences in the rules and other logistics, they all offer multiple divisions in order to allow dogs to be competitive at the level they jump. This encourages any dog to be able to participate. For the “Novice level” jumpers range from 1″ (yes, I said one inch!) to 9’11”, “Junior division” jumpers are in the 10′ to 14’11” range, “Senior division” is from 15′ to 19’11” and so on. There’s even a “lap dog” league for the small dogs to not get their egos hurt, though some of those lil’ guys can fly! The top 5 dogs from each division at the end of each weekend event then get to compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in a divisional finals. Clancy recently won 2nd place in the Junior division at the Ultimate Air Dogs Maryland Dogfest event!
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During the Maryland Dogfest event a few weeks ago, Clancy was acknowledged by the owners of Ultimate Air Dogs for having the longest jump on record for a Keeshond, at 12 feet and 10 inches! While there have only been a sprinkling of Keeshond appearances in the professional dock diving world, it is still a fun record to have!
Another fun recognition feature offered in professional dock diving are titles. There are varying qualifications within the different dock diving entities, but a benefit of competing for titles in UAD is if you are registered with the United Kennel Club (UKC), then you also earn titles and points towards dock diving championships in the UKC. Clancy just earned his Ultimate Air Dogs and United Kennel Club Junior Division dock diving title in July 2013 in Maumee, Ohio. (Someone actually caught Clancy on video jumping over 12 feet and put it on YouTube!) UAD founder/owner (and ex-Detroit Tiger’s World Series winning pitcher), Milt Wilcox, confirmed that Clancy is the first Keeshond to get a dock diving title with UAD! (He’s the judge and emcee in these UAD videos too!)
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. On a future blog post, I will dive a little deeper (pun not intended, but it is funny) into comparing the different dock diving organizations and will offer some insight on how you can give your pup the opportunity to fly! If you’re looking for a fun way to enjoy the warm weather with your dog, or perhaps a little out of the ordinary competition, consider dock diving with your fur-pal. If you have a Kees or other long-haired breed, just be prepared for at least a 6 foot splash and shake zone!
Dock diving – Another fun thing for Best Friends to do together! Be your dog’s Best Friend! ~ SSB
“It’s getting hot in here… so hot… so take off all your…” fur? There are many dogs that are getting their summer hair cut out there. Not Clancy… for in general, you shouldn’t shave a Keeshond. So how do you have summer fun with a Kees or ANY type of dog this time of year? You’ll see in my next blog post coming soon! 🙂 (Okay, so this pic is a major hint!)
Clancy enjoying an outing at a family gathering and hanging out with a friend’s dog. A well behaved dog is often welcomed into friends and family’s homes.
Dogs are man’s best friend. So are you being your dog’s best friend? Best friends do everything together. Do you and your furry bff go to parks together, go to stores together, go to friends houses together, do activities together such as going for a swim, participating in dog sports such as agility, tracking, obedience or the like? While you have work, family, TV, and other entertainment to occupy your time, you have to remember that all that your dog has… is you! So, you don’t think your dog is capable of joining you in activities outside of your home? It’s true that in order to go out and about with your dog, your dog must know how to behave in public (and wouldn’t it be nice if they knew how to behave at home, too?) With some time and patience, any dog can learn to behave.
Clancy (about 5 months here) enjoys going to watch hockey games! Since he’s well-behaved, I can get away with bringing him to places that most dogs would not be welcomed at.
Dogs are always learning… it’s up to you if they learn good habits or bad habits by your level of enforcement. Dogs learn mainly by repetition. They pick up on routines rather quickly (you know they know when it’s dinner time!) By introducing and enforcing some basic rules, your dog can become an ambassador for dog-kind. If every dog was well cared for, sat politely to be petted and posed no threat of danger to people, there would be a lot less fear of dogs and less red-tape in public places. So how do you get your dog to that point?
Clancy earning his Basic Obedience graduation certificate at just 4 months old. Especially for puppies, you have to use positive training techniques and make learning fun! While it’s best to start training your dog while they’re young, every dog benefits from training, no matter the age!
There are so many options when it comes to training your dog these days. There are a variety of dog training classes out there you could sign up for, or have a dog trainer come to your house for private lessons, or there’s a large variety of dog training books and free advice on the Internet. In order to pick the appropriate type of training for you and your pup, you should be aware of the learning traits of your specific breed of dog (it’s as easy as doing an Internet search!) The most important aspect of teaching your dog, is consistency! For example, if you tell a dog to stay and it moves before you release it, you must place your dog back in the original position and tell them to stay again. No matter how many times it takes! You will need to start off with very short sessions (always give them a chance to succeed at a smaller goal before trying a bigger goal) and work your way up to longer sessions over time. If you ask your dog to come and it doesn’t, then you have to go get your dog and make it come. If you are not 100% consistent, then your dog will not be either. This goes for all that interact with your dog.
Clancy and I in our first Rally Obedience trial. You must start with basic training as a foundation to start to train for other dog sports. Participating in dog sports creates a stronger bond with your furry best friend and is a lot of fun!
Before signing up for a dog training class, ask if you could observe a class to see if it would be right for you. Some trainers are all about positive teaching (my personal favorite) where you quickly reward for the correct behavior with a quick word of praise or a click (see clicker training: http://www.clickertrain.com/whatis.html) along with a taste of an irresistible treat. Incorrect behaviors are corrected with a distinct sound such as “aaap!” and an immediate repeat of the exercise until they get it right to deserve their reward. Dogs like to be rewarded! They want to please you and will eventually learn to do what you want with this type of training. It may take longer for some breeds to get it. See on average how quickly your dog learns here (from Stanley Cohen’s “The Intelligence of Dogs”): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs
Other dog trainers rely on combinations of techniques that may include corrections with a quick jerk on a choke collar to regain the dog’s focus. The collar used in training or “working your dog” at a dog sport can make a big difference in the dog’s behavior. Some very stubborn out-of-control dogs may only initially respond to a prong collar or the even harsher electric shock collar (this should only be used as a last resort when other training methods have been unsuccessful, please consult a dog trainer before using.)
Clancy doing his “stick ’em up” trick, one of Clancy’s many tricks under his Advanced Trick Dog Title. Keeshonden love to learn and perform tricks! All dogs love to learn new things and with even just 10 minutes of daily training sessions, it won’t be long before your dog can show off what it knows!
The keeshond is an emotional dog that does not respond well to harsh corrections, punishments or raised voices. They are smart dogs that enjoy being trained (as long as you keep it fun!) Clancy enjoys doing “Tricks for Treats” everyday and also understands when I get his leather buckle collar out to put on him, it’s time to “work”. I only place it on him when we are doing training or doing an obedience trial. (Other times when we are out and about for fun, he wears his harness.) When I place his show lead on him, he knows that it means it’s time to be a “show dog” and his behavior changes appropriately.
Though Clancy and I will likely never be classified as “athletes”, we do enjoy having fun participating in all kinds of dog sports! Here Clancy and I are doing lure coursing. As long as you and your dog have a good bond and basic training, you two can learn to participate in all kinds of dog sports and activities together!
After some basic manners training, you will be able to bring your dog out and about and start exploring the large variety of dog sports available in your area (you and your dog do not need to be an athlete, it’s just an opportunity to have fun with your dog!) The American Kennel Club offers a “Canine Good Citizen” test that every dog owner should strive to complete with their dog. Here are the test items: http://classic.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm Many dog trainers offer prep classes and then give you the opportunity to take the test at during the last training class. If your dog can complete all ten items on the test, they are indeed an ambassador of dog-kind and you should be proud to bring your dog out in public! If every dog was a “Canine Good Citizen”, then there would be less fear of dogs and we would have more opportunities to have man’s best friend with us everywhere we go, making us a better friend to our canine companion.
Clancy proudly sits next to his AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate and course graduation certificate. Every dog and owner should aspire to achieve this to be a confident ambassador of dog-kind! Training to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test (any dog, mixed or pure-bred can achieve this) takes a lot of practice and patience. If at first you don’t succeed, try… try again!
During a recent humane society fundraiser event, I got this caricature done of Clancy! They had hired a professional caricature artist and it was well worth the $30 donation to the local humane society to have this adorable piece of art forever in my life.
Clancy was a superb model, sitting still for the 15 minutes it took for the artist to create it. I had no idea what he was drawing, for I was sitting in front of the easel with Clancy… I just mentioned a little about the history of the keeshond breed and how Clancy enjoys “dock diving”.
He captured the keesie smile quite well along with his mischieveous “sideways glance” that he often gives.
With the convenience of the Internet, you can easily do a search for a caricature artist in your area to have a portrait of your dog to cherish forever!
There’s lots of events going on with Spring in full swing! Clancy and I’s weekends are full of activities for the foreseeable future and we hope that you are on the lookout for fun outings to enjoy with your dog!
There are so many things to do with your dog happening every week around town! Here Clancy is enjoying “Playtime” at a local pet store.
Clancy and friends having a great time at “Playtime” which is held weekly at a local pet store.
Depending on where you live, there are many opportunities to go out and about with your dog! You and your dog may enjoy a visit to a pet-friendly store, or could participate in a pet-related fundraiser, or go to one of the various functions designed for an outing with your pup such as a Pet Expo or “Yappy Hour” at a dog-friendly cafè. Or you could just go to a sporting event or ask your family or friends if it’s okay to bring your pooch over with you. One way or another, just let your dog enjoy the world outside of your home.
Dogs can enjoy going with you to parties, too! If you’re planning on attending an outdoor event at a friend’s house, just ask to see if it’s okay if you bring your dog… you may be pleasantly surprised!
Most weekends beginning in the Spring offer some kind of event that you can bring your dog to. Next week I should have more time to share Clancy and I’s experiences and offer some more insight on how to enjoy outings with your furry best friend.
Clancy loves the water, loves other dogs and loves people. He couldn’t be happier that I took him to the SPCA’s “Puppy Plunge” fundraiser!
In the meantime, to find an event to enjoy with your dog, try visiting http://www.bringfido.com/event/ or just doing a web search for your city’s dog events. Visit your local humane society’s website or your local pet store and ask them if they know of anything fun to bring your dog to. Clancy and I will be going to one this weekend and will share our experience next time!
Dogs showing off in a costume contest at a local dog rescue fundraiser.
Lots of dog lovers watch a disc dog demo at an SPCA fundraiser event.
Trick training is one of the best things you can do with your dog. It stimulates their mind, builds a stronger bond between the two of you, and gives them a “job” to do (not to mention how much fun it is to hear the “oohs and ahhs” from spectators). Trick training should always be […]
Heel. Sit. Stay. Come. “Boring…” may be what your dog is thinking as it mechanically completes the requested actions from their master. While an obedient dog is to be respected in the community, especially in competition, it may not be very fun for many dogs. Fortunately, there is an alternative (or just a fun extra […]
“Here is a treat that you never see in the sport of dock diving… a Keeshond!” exclaimed Milt Wilcox, the founder of Ultimate Air Dogs dock diving, to the audience as I lead Clancy onto the dock platform leading to the approximately 40 foot long pool. While you will see a lot of Labs and […]
Everyone knows that a tired dog is a good dog, and nothing tires a dog out more than another dog! All the romping, wrestling, playing tag, playing keep away and the good ol’ just run with the pack in an open field is sure to give you a peaceful evening, if you take about an […]
While the point of Conformation events (Dog Shows) is to define the best breeding stock of pure-bred dogs, many responsible dog owners would like to compete in the show ring with their pet dog whom they had altered. When I got my keeshond puppy, Clancy, I decided I wanted to try every dog sport I […]
Heel. Sit. Stay. Come. “Boring…” may be what your dog is thinking as it mechanically completes the requested actions from their master. While an obedient dog is to be respected in the community, especially in competition, it may not be very fun for many dogs. Fortunately, there is an alternative (or just a fun extra dog sport to be involved in!)
which is why it’s always good to either take a Rally Obedience class or participate in “run-thru’s” which are often held by local dog training or kennel clubs (often you don’t even have to be a member, you just pay a fee to do a run-thru and instructors or knowledgeable volunteers will answer any questions you have and correct you if you make a mistake.) 
Clancy has truly opened up my eyes to the potential that all dogs have that most humans aren’t aware of. My main mission with my Kees Of Dog’s Delight blog is to encourage all dog owners to enrich their dog’s life, which in turn enriches the dog owner’s life through socialization and the benefits you gain from the strong bond you create with your dog. Though I love all types of dogs, cats, and just all animals, Clancy has ignited a passion in me for the Keeshond, so from time to time you will see more Kees oriented posts, especially while the Keeshond community works on rescuing 60 + Keeshonden from one of the worst puppy mills in the U.S. 
With Clancy and I accomplishing all this in one month (plus our weekly dog training club activities), we hope to inspire you to go out and do an activity with your dog! Don’t have one yet? Perhaps my first physical print article (another August milestone for me that will be showing up in a local publication next week) can help you with that! It is titled “Where to Find Your New Best Friend” (the picture above was taken of Clancy at 6 weeks old when it was decided that we were going to be best friends!) I fine-tuned it below by generalizing some things to make it more useful for the general public. Please keep in mind that I was limited on how many words I could have in my article… if I had more space, I would have liked to have been more detailed!
Kees of Dog's Delight 