Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi everyone,
We just returned from the February 2 and 3, 2013 Pine Bluff, Arkansas dog show. We did not do as well as we had planned, but we were able to get Select German Shepherd Dog and Select German Shepherd Dog Bitch. Therefore, Ch. Heidelberg’s Zeke v. Gennyh owned by Terry and Spencer Cline won two majors and 6 Grand Champion points towards his Grand Championship. In addition, Ch. Heidelberg’s Kelsey Queridad won two majors and 9 Grand Championship points towards her Grand Championship.
We did not win any class points, but Heidelberg’s Kaito v Carlief owned by Kristen Brian got a major reserve under Judge Roger Hartinger. On the bright side, at her first show, Heidelberg’s Daphne Oklahoman being shown in 12 to 18 class showed very well for a puppy and placed both days. Daphne will likely finish her Championship very quickly.
Heidelberg’s Daphne Oklahoman
We may have done much better at this German Shepherd Dog Show if I was physically in better shape. During the holiday season, I had added some unneeded weight and due to the cold weather my activity level also declined. Because I got fatigued, I did not present our dogs as well as I could have if I were in better shape. Needless to say, I am very sore today.
In addition, because of the cold weather none of our dogs were ready to be shown in regards to their training level. This is entirely my fault due to my reluctance to work with the dogs in miserable weather. For our next show, I am committed to be in better shape and have our German Shepherd Dogs better trained and ready to be shown.
We had a blast exercising our dogs at the Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center. The German Shepherd Dogs had serious fun investigating the old-growth hardwood bottoms of the delta.
Daphne and Patriot playing
12 month old Hardy
We will probably not enter under Mr. Roger Hartinger again. We have shown under Mr. Hartinger several times now without winning any points since 2009 when we won Best in Show and winners dog under him in Enid Oklahoma. For Judge Stephanie S. Hedgepath, we will only show under her again if she is part of more favorable judge panel for us even though last time we showed under her in 2007 in Gray Summit, Missouri, we swept all the points.
Ask me a question and I promise to provide my opinion.
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hello, today I’m going to provide a very important tip in regards to training and the correct use of choke chains. First, before using a choke chain the German shepherd puppy should be leash and collar trained. A choke chain should never be used to leash-break a German shepherd puppy. Choke chains are misnamed because the proper use of the choke chain for training is not to choke the German shepherd dog, but rather as a correction and control tool. The correct use of the choke chain is to quickly and sharply tighten then release the chain.
To have the choke chain to work properly it must be correctly placed on the German Shepherd puppy. Many novice are not aware that a choke chain can incorrectly be placed on the German shepherd dog. Below illustrates the correct way to place the choke chain on the German shepherd puppy:
If placed incorrectly on the German shepherd puppy as shown above, the choke chain will not release correctly. The choke chain will remain tight, thus the German shepherd puppy will not get the proper correction and will continuously be choked during the exercise.
The choke chain correction includes the auditory signal to the German shepherd puppy of the links clicking during the tightening and release, as well as the sudden tightening and then release around the neck. The rapid release also allows for several sharp corrections in a row, which is very effective in healing training if the German shepherd puppy is being distracted by smells on the ground or moving off the incorrect direction of travel.
In addition, it is extremely important to place the correct size chain on your German shepherd puppy. Too long a chain will allow the chain to slide down low on the neck during training and too tight is obviously uncomfortable and ineffective for correcting your German Shepherd puppy. Ideally for the most efficient control and corrections, the choke chain should remain high upon the German shepherd dog’s neck, just under the chin. This is why proper size is important to keep the chain high on the neck of your German shepherd puppy without having to make continuous adjustments to its position. Even a physically small or weak owner of a large and powerful German shepherd dog can maintain control with a correctly sized choke chain that is positioned high on German shepherd dog’s neck
Ask me any questions and I promise to provide my opinion.
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