And the winner of the first ever “Mutts Manners and More Canine CrossFit or Shenanigans or Performance Class Finale” or whatever you want to call it is…Raymond and Ashlyn!
This class was an absolute blast! Each week we introduced or worked on an AKC performance event/title opportunity. We talked about and worked on skills for nosework, obedience, rally, fetch, agility, tricks, fastcat, and dock diving. For our last night, we put them all together for a timed event. Maybe this should be a new AKC event!!! Seriously, it was so fun!
Raymond selfie
This past Monday, we worked on tricks! Here is Raymond demonstrating his “selfie” trick with his owner Ashlyn. There were quite a few tricks demonstrated from all the class members and many ideas shared! I should have taken more videos but I was busy watching (and learning)!
AKC does offer trick dog titles! There are five levels starting at novice and going through trick dog elite performer. These titles can be tested by a CGC evaluator in person or through video submission.
To find out more about trick dog titles and their requirements, visit AKC.org
Another great night in our performance class. Everyone is loving nosework, so we will do a bit of it each night. We also introduced some agility tonight. It was a hit as well!
The purpose of this class is to see what your dogs like to do! Like one person commented, “I really don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on “X” class if my dog doesn’t enjoy it.” This is giving the participants a chance to see where their dogs interests are so they can make an informed decision on what to pursue.
Last night our “performance” class gave me a taste of how much fun we are going to have! This was them warming up before we introduced nosework. These handlers are dedicated and want to do great things! And their dogs are fabulous!!!
I am not enjoying the snow today, but the dogs are! These two love the snow and ran and played for about 3 minutes…then they ran to the door and said, “we’re done, let us in!”
During cold weather, the dogs are the ones who determine how much or how little exercise they get. Some go straight out, do their business, and want back in. Some, I have to coax back in! Some, look out the door and say no thank you and head back to their pen.
I’m very thankful that my set up allows the dogs to choose what they want to do. Of course, this weekend with dropping temps, doggie doors will be shut down and dogs will only go outside for short periods of time.
I love taking care of your dogs for you while you are away. Some days, I do enjoy it more than others (I’m not a fan of cold and snow).
The 2024 calendar is filling up! With only four pens and a couple crates that I can use for small dogs or for overflow for a few hours, I can not board as many dogs as is sometimes needed. I have several weeks already full and even have dates booked for next Christmas! Don’t wait to contact me.
Add on? It has been suggested and thought about. But, with the smaller numbers means more attention for your dogs. It also allows me to do things outside of the kennel. This is not a full time, support my family, type of job. This is a retirement gig. It allows me to continue to be a part of the dog world, help people out, and do other things as I want.
We do need more boarding facilities in this area. If you are thinking about it, I would love to visit with you. There are things that I love about my set up and a couple things I would change. It’s a pretty fun job with some great benefits!
Starting in February 2024, group classes will be returning to Mutts Manners and More.
