Last Kira Track for a Few Days

 I was able to get out really early this morning to lay a short track for Kira.  Was a light dew overnight, a little damp still in shaded areas.  The next week has high temps. and high humidity every day in the 30's.  Above, Kira has just gone a few feet off the start.

 I left random food drops, and less on this track.  She had been tending to pass the food, but then would want to turn back to it.  I wanted to correct this.  I felt she moved at a better and steadier pace along the track today.

 I laid it in a meandering fashion, some in curved pathways and some in open area.  So it was partly like serpentines, and partly straight with a few turns.  Above, she has just made a nice right turn, with a food drop about 2' past the corner.

 Kira is working along this pathway very nicely right on the track.

 She had made another turn here and was just moving out on the straighter section.  She was very focused and I was pleased, as we've also not done anything for a few days.

 Suddenly, she stopped dead and refused to move forward.  This was very, very strange.  I had not noticed anything when I laid the track, but she wasn't moving.  Of course, I always think 'bear' first.  I heard and saw nothing.  She wasn't barking or growling, but wasn't moving.  Very odd.  Finally I walked up beside her and got her to go forward.  She was a bit hesitant, but walked a few feet and then put her nose down again.  No idea what happened here.  It was very strange.  She did not act "afraid" at all, but wasn't going!!!

 So, we've passed this previous area, and she's moving fine again.

 We're getting near the end, and she has picked up a little speed.

 We come to a decision here, left or right?  She turned left, lost scent, lifted her head and had a look around.  (Any connection to where she stopped dead a little further back???)  Quickly she put her head down again, and shortly turn right.

Very shortly, she zoomed in on her article, a sock.  Good girl!  I had her tug for her to play with after this.  And she happily almost ripped my arms off me playing with it!

Kira Practices Pole Balancing

 Kira has been listening to too much coverage about the upcoming tightrope walk over Niagara Falls.  She found a long balancing pole (branch) to begin her training.

Here she is charging towards me!!  She will have to learn to slow down while carrying it before she graduates to training on the actual tightrope.

Canine Good Neighbour Test Sunday

 I tested 9 dogs on Sunday, after a stormy delay to the start of 1/2 hr. it quickly got hot and humid.  Luckily we were done before noon.  A completely different group of dogs, from an 8 lb. LH Mini Doxie to a huge Great Dane.  All the dogs were very nice and quiet, calm dogs....not used to this!  It was a nice change.  These people had a really hard time for the one exercise where you get your dog revved up and then 'quiet' it down.  Most of them didn't "rev up"!!!  Eight of the nine dogs passed, I wish they all had.

 Global Pet Food, on Lakeshore Drive in North Bay sponsored the test, providing a huge 'goodie' bag to everyone entered.  That alone was worth the entry fee!

 I have soooooo many pictures, but tried to just put one of each dog on here, and doing different exercises in the twelve part test.

 Thank you to my volunteers who helped with this, I couldn't have done it without them;  Irene, secretary, Steve, Nadine, Tascha and a few others that came and went and helped out for "the crowd".  Also a big thank to Emma for being the test dog on such a hot day!  A big thanks to George from Global for providing the goodies and one of his own dogs on one occasion, and setting up the tent.

 It was a group of nice people, with very good attitudes towards their dogs.  Two people had two dogs each entered.  Because of the weather, first the storm, then the terrible heat and humidity, we unfortunately didn't have many spectators; a few walking by....or 'in' the test area, were curious.  It's such a good program, I wish there was more interest and more coverage by local media.

 Our local newspaper has a weekly section and I hope they will put some pics. and info. in there that I sent them.  I think promoting responsible owners who have trained their dogs to be good companions should be welcomed in their neighbourhoods and recognized for this. Above was our largest dog, a Great Dane.

 You can tell these people love their dogs.  I believe the majority of them were rescued dog; many were interesting 'mixes'.

 Why is everyone taller than me????  This young lady only had her dog a few months.  I'm giving her a quick run-down here before entering the ring. 

And our smallest dog...8 lb. Abbey who did a nice job after I was continually told she would not pass!!!!  I will tell Tascha to name her next dog "Faith".