Sawhda

13/02/2025

Opportunities to practice CGN work too.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GNBcy3nBt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/02/2025

Mother nature has dictated that we should cancel our Southern Alberta working herding dog association, dog club today. Stay home stay safe. Stay warm.

02/02/2025

Dog parks. Pffft

02/02/2025

Something to keep in mind.

GENETIC FEAR

I sometimes see or hear of dog trainers that claim they can do well with “any dog, any breed, anywhere, any time.”

I always wonder if they have ever come across a dog with what I describe as having “genetic fear”.

This is not just a timid dog that needs slow-going, or a confused dog (most), or a previously abused dog that needs to learn confidence through routine and reliability.

Genetic fear is… something else.

In his book, ‘The Farmers Dog,’ John Holmes touches on the problem, which is always a deal breaker with me — the thing I think nearly impossible to tease out.

Holmes writes:

“It must be remembered, too, that not all the instincts of the wild dog have proved useful to mankind. On the contrary, there are some which man has had to breed out to the best of his ability.

“One of these is the instinct of fear, common to nearly all wild animals. A natural fear of man (the enemy), of gunfire and a strong desire to keep well within range of bushes or cover of some sort. When taken from the nest at an early age, many wild animals lose this fear. Our two badgers were more friendly with people (including strangers) than many dogs. They never attempted to run away on the several occasions they escaped from their run.

“This fact has enabled man to breed out this instinct to a great extent so today we find dogs that are far more courageous than the average person. Many wild animals, however, no matter how early they are taken from the nest, never lose their natural suspicion or fear of mankind. People have taken fox cubs and brought them up like puppies. A few will allow strangers to handle them, but some resent being handled, even by those who have reared them. Often, as they grow up, the urge to return to the wild, becomes more obvious and many succeed in doing so.

“These, no doubt, were problems which confronted the prehistoric men who first tamed the wild dog. By domestication, and even more by selective breeding, these problems were to a great extent overcome. But breeders of all animals and plants must always fight against the tendency to revert to Nature. That is why while anyone can breed scrub stock, the number of breeders like [Thomas] Booth, and [Robert] Bakewell, who will go down in history, is great improvers of our breeds of livestock, are few in number. I doubt very much, if, in the many aspects of livestock breeding, there is a stronger tendency to revert to nature than in the mentality of the domestic dog. One has only to consider the mean, cowardly, furtive collection of thoroughly unlikable creatures, from which ‘man’s best friend’ is descended to realize what that means.”

Right.

The number of reliably trained wild animal species is not open-ended, and those we have domesticated and bred for trust and bidability is finite.

There are no wolves at the circus.

We can breed animals away from their wild roots, but every once in a while the unwanted pentimento of a past incarnation will bleed into the foreground.

When that’s genetic fear, it’s a real problem.

28/01/2025

Jules, Helen’s GSD, placed 21 from the Open class!

28/01/2025

Georgia placed 11th in Masters Barnhunt stats for AB.

28/01/2025

Congratulations are in order. Britt placed 17th among Alberta Barnhunt Novice Dogs.🎉🎉🎉🎉

27/01/2025

Wow! Just Wow!

27/01/2025

Fabulous turnout for SAWHDA club day!
17 people and dogs doing obedience, agility, and CGN and Animal Actor and scent activities!
Can’t wait for next week.

24/01/2025

Sunday funday! Cowley Hall
1:30-2:30
5 weeks/$50 class full
2:30-3:30 Dare to Do and practice time
$10 drop in
Come in and find out more about what we offer.

21/01/2025

Keep the date…Our club is holding a CGN test on May 4th at Pincher Creek, Alberta.
Contact Dawn at (403) 627-7953 for more information.

19/01/2025

Birdy, lesson one weaves…2x2 lets the dog figure it out. Ten minutes to this.🎉🎉

19/01/2025

We are pleased to be able to offer our members
3 mini-courses in an hour over 5 weeks $50
: Centre Stage K9 actor Level 1
: Street Smart. Pups in Public
:WickedWeavers 2x2 agility weaves

Cowley Hall 1:30 pm Jan. 26, Feb. 2,9,23, Mar. 2
We have 6 spots available for this round.
Text 403 563 0686 or 403 627 7953 for more info on the courses and how to register.🌹😎

19/01/2025

“A Dare To Do” Challenge for Dog Club January 26, 2:30 p.m. Cowley Hall
Members. $10 drop in fee

Find the Official UKC Obedience Rulebook here: https://bit.ly/3dd17thHeel on Leash and Figure 8 Stand or Sit for Exam Down Stay / Walk Away Recall over High ...

17/01/2025

Love how this method allows the dog to figure it out….we are getting there. 😎

16/01/2025

Congrats, MaryEllen!
Cricket is an American Champion !
All Major wins.👏👏🎉🎉🎉

16/01/2025

SAWHDA Dog Club Days
Round 1
Jan.26, Feb. 2 ,9 ,
23, & Mar.2nd
1:30 - 3.30pm
New members welcome

16/01/2025

Barnhunt practice at Shadowbar begins at 6:30 February 18, 25th March 4 and 11th.
Enough time for you to practice for the Prairie Dog Sports Barnhunt in Lacombe March 14-16th!!!