BCFo

How can you stop a dog from barking at other dogs? That's a real problem when we attend any agility event. As soon as a dog starts the course, Troy will start barking like crazy and I can't stop him, even with treats or toys. Help! Al.

Well, good news from down under. From march 1st to march 4th, Mr. Kenneth Tastch, Founder and Director of the USDAA and Mr. Rafael Quiñones, Master Judge from Puerto Rico will be having a Judge seminar, courtesy of Pet's Paradise Hotel and Training Center (Member of the USDAA since feb 2006). Finally we will have at least 7 certified judges from Costa Rica. Definitevely a great step for our country. For march 10th-11th we will also have the Costa Rica/USDAA Agility Grand Prix, judged by Ms Merlen Stiles. Another great oportunity to develop as handlers, partners and responsible owners. I think we (troy and me) are not ready yet to participate, but it will be fun for everybody and we will have the media present, so the amount of exposure will be a great aid to Agility in general! Just sharing some info and my $0.02 here. Regards, Al

Thank you. Reading as I post.

I recently read "A Dog Year" by Jon Katz. This is the first (and the last) time I have read one of his books, because I thought everything came out so good for him that it is close to utopia when applied to a BC. Now, I've been in and out of the forum and I have read so many negative comments on him and I don't understand why. Can somebody explain the whole situation? Thanks in advance. BTW, Troy just got neutered yesterday. I guess we won't be able toi attend practice this saturday, but I hope this helps with his focus. Pics coming soon. Al.

Holy Cow! We spent the whole day working with some dogs and just learning from what Stacy had to say. I didn't think that I would be able to keep up with all the stuff taking place and all that info just flying around! Great seminar, great dogs, great weather (I got a nice sun burn ) and Stacy and Jeff are just great people to deal with! We also had the USDAA weekend event. Congrats to all the winners. Al.

Ok, the seminar will take place tomorrow, from 8am to 5pm. It's going to be a long day. I just hope I can learn some more stuff to help Troy and me to accomplish some goals. I'm having some problems with Troy's "comfortable side" when running a course and with the sit/stay. So, I will let you guys know how it goes. Later. Al.

Yep, that's what I've heard. Sure, I will tell her that you said Hi. Just 3 days away. I am getting a little anxious. Al.

Well, thanks for your opinions. I am looking forward to take this seminar next friday. I just started on the agility world and since she is so experienced, I hope I can learn at least something from her and my trainers (who are great handlers too) Later. Al.

Yup, the kind folks (and trainers of both Troy and me) of Pet's Paradise (USDAA member in our country) will be hosting a seminar with none other than Stacy Peardot Goudy. I have been reading about her and I definitevely look forward to meet her. Has anyone here attended one of her seminars? I am just curious on how to really approach her with all these doubts I have about training/handling. Thanx.

I am looking forward to have Troy neutered. He is 8 months old, but so far, there is no marking or leg lifting. I posted the same question a few weeks ago and I got lots of info on this particular issue. From what I learned, there is no "good age" to have your puppy neutered. It is just a matter of who and how it is done. Any good vet should perform the operation easily and painlessly. After the op, you should wait at least 4 days before any exercise and keep cleaning the area until the stitches are removed. Later. Al.

Does anybody knows a web address or has any info on Bismark? I just need to get a hold of them to check on my pup's father. Thank you. Al. BTW, Troy is now 6 months old and we are starting some basic obedience/small jumps/get-use-to-the-obstacles this saturday. I will post the pics sat night.

Thnak you for your comments and the info. Troy (my BC) is just 5 months old. So according to that article it is not recommended to neuter him as of now. How much do I have to wait and is there any other incidence or effect that could be brought up after the operation? I am really concenrned about my dogs' health and I just don't like anything realted to an operating table, besides their regualr vet checks. Thanks again.

I was told by my pup's new handler to castrate my dog. Are there any side effects to castration? I really don't know if this is ok for my BC. He told me that by doing so, he will focus more and he will have less health problems. I am not planning to breed him, since there are only 2 lines of BC's in my country. And my pup is a cross of both. And crossing him with any other BC would be inbreeding and I don;t want that. Plus I wouldn't like to breed BC's just for the sake of it. I don't know if people will be able to handle BC's properly (I am still learning and for me it is fun. For other people, and for the dogs, it could be frustrating. BTW, he is 5 months old. Any help and comments on this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Well, just bought 2 discs and a ball for Troy a couple hours ago, but I didn't have time to go out to the track and run a little test. So, tomorrow morning it is. Let see what happens along the way. Al.

Holy Chrsit! :eek: It seems I dropped a bomb here. As Maria stated, it seems this is a very passionate and delicate argument for the board members. I was just asking a general question. I don't want any arguing or even worse, fighting over it. I was not planning to take Troy to a show. My wife just asked for the posibbility. Our BC came in as another member of the family, not just a pet. Also, I don't leash him or keep in in the backyard. We constantly go out to the filed for our daily work/play/run/fetch practice. I do accept sometimes, when we can't take him (or them, including our Lab Retriever), he stays in the house, but not confined to a room or backyard. I can understand the relationship between working dogs and their owners. I won't be able to experience it, since I don't own a farm or such. But I have seen working dogs and I've met some owners who fully rely on their dogs as partners. Now, I hace read all the arguments and reasons on anti-AKC/dog show/barbie BC's and I can tell mine is not gonna be one of them. I pretend to introduce him to agility/flyball/frisbee since I know he will like either one and he can develop his abilitites on such practices. But since I was not sure about it, I just asked. I want to thank you all for your advice and comments. It has been a great experience to read all of them and keep learning about my new dog's breed and their characteristics as a particular dog. But I would like to prevent people here to engage in violent arguments, since I think my question has been fully answered. Again, thank you. Al.