Archive for January, 2008

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Canine Gait

An excellent study of canine motion - you need Flash player which is a free download.
 
What you will see is a: 


  1. healthy dog
  2. a dog with CHD (Hip Dysplasia) 
  3. Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture. 

Each of the above dogs are shown 

  • walking
  • gaiting
  • stairs

There are 2 main views of 3 dogs:

  1. actual video
  2. dog in abstract with the use of reflective markers in key locations

All can be seen from 4 different views:

  1. Side
  2. posterior
  3. frontal
  4. overhead

Here you go:

http://accad.osu.edu/~hcaprett/COTA_741_sp04/CanineLO_090504.html


No Comments » - Posted in Potpourri by Julie

Saturday, January 26th, 2008

Gabe Games

From Terrence:
 
I have seen a lot of extraordinarily intelligent behavior in GSDs.  My old Sid was a real problem solver.  But Gabe is pretty amazing.  He has intense ball drive and we play in the
house in the evening sometimes.

He taught me this game.
When he doesn’t feel like chasing the ball anymore he lays down about 4 or 5 feet away from me (I am also sitting on the floor).  He lays down in a way that his left arm is away from his
body (leaning his weight on his right elbow).  He has the ball in his mouth, then he places it on the carpet near or in front of his left paw, and then he knocks it over to me.  I toss it
back to him, he catches it, and again, he lays it on the carpet in front of his left paw and knocks it over to me.  I did not train him to do this.  He trained me!   We have
played “catch” like this dozens of times.  I have counted as many as 20 repetitions. And it is always the same; he always places it in front of his left paw and knocks it to me (and he is really
accurate–only rarely does the ball not go straight to me).
My wife and I were a little startled.  I mean, this is damn near primate behavior.  Anyway it is a lot of fun and he really enjoys it.  So, you sold us a left-handed–I
mean–left-pawed dog!
So what is next?  I am concerned.  In a few years, I expect the game to evolve so that HE is the one throwing the ball and I and the one retrieving it!!!!  Maybe he will learn to
pat me on the head and praise me when I bring back!
Maybe its something in the water down here–lol
Best,

Terence Hartnett
No Comments » - Posted in Canis Woofus Family by Julie

Thursday, January 24th, 2008

Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life)

Interesting quick read on Cathie Black’s career path to president of Hearst Publications.  I appreciated the emphasis on ethics and loyalty,
something I think is lacking in business and the world in general.  An excellent book for young women looking to take the corporate career path. 

Julie

No Comments » - Posted in Reviews and Comments by Julie

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

The Story of a Lifetime

Let me preface this with, we are “all” okay.< ?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O />We went snowshoeing Sunday on the North Country Trail.  Although it was only 4 degrees we were staying warm and enjoying ourselves, until we got to a section of the trail where we were at the < ?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 />We’ve analyzed just about every moment and feel we really didn’t have any other options.  There was no way I was going to lose our Hector.  He would have drowned if we didn’t go out after him.  Fortunately all is fine.  But we certainly won’t be hiking near any rivers or lakes anymore in the winter.Hope your Valentine’s litter arrives with hearts of gold.  Karen

4 Comments » - Posted in Travel and Adventures, Zucca by Julie

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

New Name

I need a new name for this blog.  I am stealing “Sit, Stay, Speak” and using it for the blog on the Taking the Lead dog training website leaving
this blog nameless….any suggestions?

Julie

No Comments » - Posted in Reviews and Comments by Julie

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

100 Titles! Actually 101

ONE HUNDRED and ONE !!!

.…..titles on one single dog. 

This weekend Charlene and Flash did it!

No Comments » - Posted in Barq's by Julie

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

Lil’ Kodi - Future Leader Dog

Hi
Julie,

 

We are the Leader
Dog puppy raisers for your Hoss x Faye Puppy. We named him Kodiak (Kodi), because
as you noticed he looks like a bear! He is doing very well, I teach high school
and he comes to work with me each day. Many of my students complain that he
sleeps too much, since they want to watch him play, rather than do their
assignments.

 

He will be the 7th
puppy we have raised for Leader Dog. I have been hoping for a GSD puppy–and
begging Bev and Sam. Boy, was I thrilled to learn we were getting Kodi! Our
first six pups were all Labs, they have all been good dogs, but make him seem
like an angel. All our labs inhaled their food. He actually chews it up and
tastes the food! He lays at my feet when I work at my desk, he has a wonderful
temperament.

 

The secretary at my
school, Shirley, always has puppy treats in her desk drawer for the puppies. She
volunteers to “puppy sit” so I can run to the restroom, or make copies during my
prep time. All the pups love Shirley! The Labs were so excited when they tried
to sit for their treat they could hardly sit still. Their tails wagged so hard
against her metal file cabinet, you would think it hurt! Lil’ Kodi goes right up
to her chair and sits just as if he were a full grown dog–after the 2nd trip to
her desk. On Friday, I knocked on Shirley’s window to let her know he was
coming and dropped the leash, he walked past four or five teachers went right
to Shirley’s desk chair and sat! She finished her phone call, and asked him if
he was ready for a treat, told him to “take it nice.”  And “wowed” his
audience–they all agree he is a genius!

 

There are about 10
puppy raisers in the Central Illinois puppy group. This is the second GSD we
have had in the past 5 years. We used to tease the lady who was raising the last
one because he was so relaxed and calm. We would ask her if she had given him
benadryl or dramamine before they arrived for the training days. Most of our
labs are full of energy, especially mine after a three hour car ride. They need
a good 20 minute romp to burn off some of their excess energy, then they are
ready to work. It will be “pay back” time for me at our next meeting! Today at
the grocery store, he was so calm. No one would have believed it was his first
time there. He would lay down while I got whatever I needed off the shelf. Then
I had to encourage him to get up and come with me when I was ready to move on!
One guy said, “He wants to take a nap,” He offered to watch him while I
finished–his wife said, “Of course, he may not be here when you come back.”
They were ready to take him home and spoil him!

 

Several people have
asked where we got such a beautiful dog. Do you have a website, or can you tell
me if you want me to give out that information? I didn’t want to say until I
checked with you, so I just told them I would have to check with Leader
Dog.

 

Thanks so much for
letting us raise your puppy! We are really looking forward to spending this year
with him and watching him grow and learn. 

 

 

 

Marcia and Craig

Leader Dog Puppy
Raisers 
No Comments » - Posted in Future Leader Dog, Hoss x Faye Litter by Julie