Kîsik Aussies

07/30/2024

Wow!!! Little s**t qualified for regionals!!! So guess all 3 are going to regionals!!! Still waiting for Dakotas AR invite to come through from getting her Senior AR title. Kenai I know is already going to both regionals and nationals as he already has both invites. Dakota already has her HD and distance regional invites. We will see how the girls do at regionals and decide from there who competes in what at nationals in October. Iowa here comes the 3 stooges lol!!

06/13/2024

Here’s a sneak peak of Kenai’s powder shoot from this past Saturday!! His turned out amazing!! Thank you Savannah Rae Photography L.L.C!! Can’t wait to see the 3 girls’ pictures!

12/28/2023

NEW PUPPY OWNERS…….
As puppies head to their new homes I wanted to touch base on a common issue that breeders come across with new owners.
Realistic Expectations
You see the breeders pictures and videos and The pups are all social. They are quiet in the pen. The breeder shows you videos of them being totally relaxed, happy, playful. All looks amazing and you bring your puppy home.
Then reality hits. The puppy may cry in the crate for the first few nights making you tired and agitated. The happy social puppy is refusing to greet the half dozen overly excited friends you invited over to see your new puppy. Or the overly excited playful children you have at home. The puppy refuses to walk on a leash. Many are wondering how did my perfect puppy turn into a nightmare.
So let’s discuss realistic expectations of when a puppy goes home. First of all the puppy has been in the breeders home since birth. They had their mother and often littermates. They had their routine, were taught expectations and were completely in their comfort zone.
Now suddenly they are taken to a totally new environment. Picture yourself being dropped into an unknown country, often in a different part of the world. You know only a few words of their language. Different trees, animals, smells, temperature and people. Now in the middle of this we are switching up your routine, decide to have a party with people you don't know, and ask you to do jobs you have no idea about. Overwhelming to say the least.
This is what every puppy goes through when going to their new home. Stress manifests in different forms. From not eating, reluctancy to play and greet people. Being apprehensive at the vet’s office or as strangers reach for them. Diarrhea, vomiting and depression can occur.
So what can you as a new owner do to help your little one acclimate?
- most puppies take 3-4 weeks to acclimate to their new home. Repeat after me THREE to FOUR WEEKS sometimes even Longer! Not a 1-2 days. I can’t stress this enough about how much time is needed for a dog or puppy to feel comfortable in their new home!
- limit guests during the first week. We understand you are excited to show off your new baby but they need time to adjust. Plan on waiting 1-2 weeks before inviting people over
- ask guest to sit on the ground and let the puppy approach them. No squealing and grabbing the puppy
- set up a good routine
- restrict the puppy to a small area of the house. This not only reduces them being overwhelmed but also allows you to watch them
- don’t expect a 8-13 week old puppy to walk on a leash. Instead work at home with a leash where they are comfortable. Let them drag the leash, use treats to encourage them to walk with you
- if your puppy is refusing to walk give them time. My first trips to town with puppies a walk around a small block took 1 1/2 hours. We only move when they initiate the movement as they need time to take in the different environment
- understand your puppy needs time to see you as family. Expecting an immediate bond is unrealistic
- train your puppy. This not only helps you to bond but the puppy to look to you for direction and input
-Children are also big stressors to tiny fragile puppies, please keep an eye on puppy at all times when around children.
- lastly be patient. Don’t declare “omg there’s something wrong with this dog”. Nothing occurs overnight. Outings should be planned at puppy speed. So while you might imagine a fun walk around the lake in reality your puppy might only be able to handle walking a short distance that day.
Most outings for me take a long time, as I am often just standing still as the puppy cautiously explores the new environment. Patience is key!
Remember if the puppy was wonderful at the breeder’s house but now is struggling, you as the owner, need to help the puppy adjust which takes time, patience and training. Have realistic expectations and give the puppy positive experiences. Each puppy is an individual, don’t compare your current puppy to past pets and judge their behavior based on how another dog handled things. Lastly, try to see thing’s from a puppy’s perspective and adjust situations accordingly.
Copied and shared... 🐾 🩵

12/05/2023

This is a great time to repost and remind everyone of the drugs on the “NO FLY” list for breeds of dogs who have to potential to carry the MDR1.

Please also be aware that just because your dog is N/N (meaning supposedly unaffected by the MDR1 gene) per a genetic test, it does not guarantee that your dog will not have a reaction to these medications/ingredients.

❗️PROCEED WITH CAUTION❗️

This is list was originally compiled by Nannette Newbury (there is credit given on the image), I reset the format for my website that is in the works and I also usually send this list home in my puppy packets.

10/21/2023

Kenai during the process of getting dyed!!! I am definitely no good lol the thing on his front leg is supposed to be a lightening bolt 🤣🤣🤣 it looks like a tornado lol

10/21/2023

Dakota is in process of getting dyed!!! I am definitely no good lol the thing on her front leg is supposed to be a lightening bolt 🤣🤣🤣

10/14/2023

I got my trading cards ordered for nationals!! Thank you Natalia Moisi for making them for me!!! I love them! The theme this year is Mardi Gras so I had her incorporate that into the cards. Then I’ve been wanting a banner that can hang from the camper so she made one for me too!! Thanks Kaitlyn Leasure I really liked yours so I got the idea from you (sorry not sorry lol). What do you all think?

09/05/2023

Holy cow!!! Dakota did it!!! She qualified in all 3 disciplines for regionals!!!! Now to pay more money lol And she got 2nd place! She was second by only .124 seconds!

08/20/2023

Kenai was High in Trial Veteran last night in Dock jumping! His first jump was 13’8 and second was 17’! He did really good! Then yesterday he finished his novice jumpers title! Dakota jumped 23’ and 24’ and 15’ in AR or fetch it is what they call it here

08/07/2023

07/31/2023

And results from The Gated Dock’s Christmas in July NADD Dockdiving Qualifier!!! Dakota qualified in both Air retrieve and Distance! As per typical psycho B… she blew away her personal best in hydrodash, not getting an invite to regionals in that. She was 4th down the list to get the invite (only top 3 get invite). She now has a personal best of 17.090 seconds, and yes when I saw how fast she was going I kept yelling at her to slow down lol, nope of course she didn’t listen, she did the complete opposite and swam faster. As Grandma Williams would say “you damned brat” lol. Kenai already has a distance invite from getting his Junior advanced title. We tried hydro, but he was too slow, he was 6th to get invite. I was just looking online and there is a qualifier in Lexington, KY over labor day weekend. Thinking about going there to try again on hydrodash for both dogs. So if anyone wants to come help let me know lol

07/30/2023

Results from today!!
Kenai distance- 14’6 and 16’8
Dakota distance 22’9 and 22’3
Dakota is ranked second in AIr retrieve and 3rd in distance at this qualifier so far! Fingers crossed!

07/29/2023

Yesterdays results from The Gated Dock’s Christmas in July NADD Dockdiving Qualifier.
Kenai- first jump was 15’6 and drum roll please…. Second jump was… 18’6 (how in the world lol- he’s only been jumping 13-15’ and he pulls off an 18’!!)

Dakota last night and this morning air retrieve was 17’ (this most likely hopefully, fingers crossed) will get her an invite to regionals), distance last night was 23’ even both times- not bad I’ll take it, and it’ll be close but hopefully that gets her invite to regionals also.

More distance this afternoon! And hydrodash in the morning then headed home.

07/29/2023

First time out in our new camper!!! Someone is living the high life! I’ll post yesterdays results here in a few

06/28/2023

Now it’s really official!!!! Can’t wait to go back to Iowa for the North Central Regionals!!!! Thank you Marie Buckingham for all your help and everything you do! Now to get Psyco qualified lol.

06/13/2023

REPOSTED-
Heads up, dog owners! Many medications that are commonly used for dogs are no longer safe, because of the companies changing the formulas to include Xylitol (aka Birch Sugar) 😣 It’s extremely toxic to dogs, and can be fatal, even in very small doses 😔 It’s imperative that you read ingredients, every single time, before giving anything marketed for people to your dog. Even things you’ve given them for years 😕

Most sugar-free gum and mints contain Xylitol. Also, some peanut butters, and some ice cream brands. Please be diligent! It can save a life ☺️

06/03/2023

Here’s the video from in the ring today (2-4 month female). Sora went best puppy under judge David Arthur.

06/03/2023

Soras video from best of breed puppy. Sora went best puppy under Judge David Arthur.

06/03/2023

Sora got best puppy under Judge David Arthur!!! She did very well for her fist show!

05/28/2023

Shared!!! I feel like people in all dog sports forget this. We all need to remember this! THIS IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT!!!!

The Privilege

Every time I pick up a lead it is my privilege. It is my privilege that this wonderful creature has agreed to be my partner.

Regardless of the outcome of the interaction my dog tries hard to understand a sometimes complex, confusing and unnatural set of instructions. It is my privilege that my dog is willing to try.

Regardless of the outcome any errors rest on my shoulders. I wasn't able to make my requests clear for my partner. It is my privilege that my partner is willing to forgive.

Regardless of the outcome of subjective judging the dog I took into the ring is the same dog I have the privilege of taking home.

It is my privilege from beginning to end, always.

Jinnie Strickland

05/23/2023

Great idea!

05/21/2023

05/19/2023

As the weather warms up you might be tempted to shave or clip down your Australian Shepherd to keep them cool.

STEP AWAY FROM THE CLIPPERS!

Science has proven that double coated (guard or top coat and undercoat which is fluffy and soft) breeds should not be clipped down but should instead be kept throughly brushed to remove the dead undercoat. The undercoat is vital in keeping your Australian Shepherd warm in the winter AND cool in the summer. If you shave them, they’re unable to regulate their heat naturally which makes them more susceptible to heat stroke and sunburn to the skin.

Instead, grab a regular metal comb and “line comb” the dog to remove dead undercoat. Go slowly.. line by line down to the skin. This will help your dog keep itself cooler and reduce shedding in your home!

Source: Badlands Australian Shepherds

05/14/2023

I’m just going to be blunt here -
If you bring me your double coated dog and want it shaved for any reason other than it being medically necessary, I will curse under my breath the ENTIRE time I’m doing so.

FYI:
It doesn’t keep them cooler
It doesn’t stop them from shedding
It can cause their coat to not grow back
They don’t look cute

Schedule regular deshed grooms with me.
Let’s make sure their coats don’t get impacted
Regular desheds help with shedding!
Brushing at home helps with shedding
Double coated dogs stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter WITH THE COAT THEY WERE MADE TO HAVE!!!

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.