Fit to be Tricked

Savi, working her muscles to balance on the peanut ball.

 Last Saturday, we attended a terrific seminar:
"Fit To Be Tricked"
Specialized Trick Training
A Fun Way To Optimize Fitness, Flexibility & Coordination
with World Renowned Animal Trainer, Sassie Frankie Joiris and
Agility Champion and Guinness World Record Holder, Chris Ott-Parker
Comprehensive program designed with Internationally Recognized Physical Therapist "Ria Acciani, MPT"

"This one of a kind seminar focuses on specialized trick training designed to
improve your dog's accuracy in performance events while keeping them fit,
increasing physical strength, decreasing muscle recovery time and raise your
dog’s learning ability, focus and drive.

Frankie (Sassie) Joiris and Chris Ott-Parker are international seminar presenters and full
time dog trainers with a combined 60 years experience training dogs in agility, obedience,
conformation, search and rescue, hunting events, as well extensive experience in
television and film. Both Frankie and Chris have competed at the top levels of multiple
dog sports venues with multiple breeds of dogs and are well known for their ability to
customize training to fit each team’s unique strengths and ability."

 At the full day seminar, we learned all kinds of tricks and stretches to keep the dogs healthy and mentally stimulated.  We were too busy to take pictures at the seminar but we started practicing some of what we learned at home with the giant peanut ball.  It takes great balance and strength for the dogs to sit or stand comfortably on the ball and then do tricks on it, like waving while sitting.  Savi and Jam both came with me to the seminar but I primarily concentrated on working Savi.  She learned to catch foam rings around her neck, jump through hoops and various body positions and building body awareness that will help in all the sports we do.  Jam loved when she got to work, as she patiently waited in her crate, watching us work and didn't make a peep.  Jam showed off her balancing skills, doing doggie surfing and pushing the peanut while standing on her hind legs.  All of the skills and tricks we learned will be perfect activities to keep the dogs busy on cold, winter days.

 Trixie, above, and Jam, below, watching Savi work on the peanut until their turn.  Both love working the peanut as they get treats and find it fun.

Back to Saturday. The seminar was an all day affair, from 9-4:30, and dogs and handlers worked hard.  We were exhausted when we arrived home and Savi and Jam were so tired.  They crashed on the couch and didn't move for hours.

 A tired Weim is a good Weim!

Sky's New Champion & Best of Breed Photos!

New CH Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain JH TD RN NSD NRD VX CGC, what an exciting day this was!

Sky's first time in the ring as a special she goes BOB and earns 2 grand champion points!

Huge congratulations to owner/handler Debbie & Sky!

Support Tri-State Weimaraner Rescue!

Donate $5 to TriState Weimaraner Rescue and be entered to win this terrific Chillydogs Great White North Winter Coat!

Black, size large

Details below

Perfect for a male Weimaraner or other large dog!

Your dog will be the coolest dog in the snow!

Three heads are better than one...

Savi almost climbed this tree!

 On a recent hike at Harriman State Park, the dogs had a field day chasing squirrels and finding nests and other interesting smells in many of the down trees from the recent storms.

 All three girls got in on the act...

 Jam is in the orange collar, Trixie in green and of course, Savi is in pink.

They never caught anything but had a ball trying!

Thanksgiving Weekend Happenings

Sky and Debbie

We've been away and it's time to catch up. Thanksgiving weekend is a very busy time of year for family and also for our dogs, with some of the biggest dog shows and agility trials taking place.  Down in North Carolina, Sky, CH Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain, RN,JH,TD,NSD,NRD,VX, ran in the CDCA Agility trial.  Sky ran in novice standard and novice jumpers.  She didn't qualify but ran with enthusiasm, drive and improved with each run.  She definitely has great potential and with more training, will get those "Q's".

Sky flying out of the tunnel

Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,NRD,CGC, spent the weekend at the Springfield Massachusetts dog show circuit.  On Thanksgiving day, Savi went Winner's Bitch and Black Friday, had another winning day, going Winner's Bitch and Best of Winners!  Savi was expertly handled to these wins by Jamie Donelson-Bernardin. Savi now has 9 points towards her AKC championship title.

And while Trixie and Jam were home relaxing with the petsitter, we were off having a great family vacation at the happiest place on Earth - Disney!  A whirlwind trip to Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom was the perfect way to spend Thanksgiving.

Jersey Girl

Beautiful fall shots of Jersey, Grayhart's Goin Someplace Special, JH,CGC  (Zeke x Trixie)

 Thanks Rachel for sharing these terrific pictures with us.

AKC Meet the Breeds - Part 2

 I wanted to share more fun shots of Savi and Parker at the AKC Meet the Breeds on November 19th.  Here they are vying for a treat from both sides of the table at the Weimaraner booth.

 

Savi was just awesome dealing with all the people as there were literally thousands of people there.  She seemed to be a magnet and drew the crowds in to see the Weim booth.  

Parker greeted people and of course, expected Jo to share her snack with him...who could resist that sweet face!

 It was a long afternoon and we were all pooped...

 Savi found the table to be a comfy spot to hang out as we cleaned up for the day.

We were very proud of the great job Parker and Savi did representing our breed.  The only catch is that everyone assumed that all Weims are as laid back and well trained as our crew...unfortunately that isn't the case.  We spent a lot of time educating people on the characteristics of the breed (high energy, need for a tremendous amount of exercise, very intelligent) and what a huge commitment it is to own, train and socialize a Weim or else they can be destructive, skittish, wild and even aggressive.  Yes, they are a beautiful breed but much more and not the right dog for most people.