Glacier Cardigan Welsh Corgis

10/01/2024

Let's get real for a second.

The world often paints a picture that dogs who live together are best friends and do everything together.

This is just not true. Many many many multidog household utilize management in different situations to allow dogs personal space to enjoy things such as:

- feeding time
- chew time
- play time
- attention time

This. Is. Normal.

Just because someone utilizes management, doesn't mean their dogs don't enjoy each other's company or have fun together. It just means that there are certain activities that they prefer to do on their own.

And I will tell you firsthand that implementing safe space zones and time apart can be so beneficial to the relationship between two dogs.

Think about it-- do you enjoy doing every single activity that you do at home with your spouse, family, or sibling RIGHT there? I don't think so.

So let's normalize management between dogs who live together!!

Do you want to work on your dogs' relationship and/or interactions? Go to my website here to schedule a private consult: perkedears.com/private-training-sessions

23/12/2023

Do your research on appropriate breeds for your lifestyle before buying and never buy a puppy on a whim. Far too many dogs end up in shelters because they were bought by people who were not prepared to train and handle them.

23/11/2023

23/10/2023

When it comes to buying a pet from a litter with champion-titled parents, it's important to understand that it goes beyond just show dogs. While the titles may initially seem like something only relevant to the show ring, they actually indicate several desirable qualities that can make for an exceptional pet. Let me break it down for you:

1. Health and Genetics: Champion-titled parents often undergo rigorous health screenings and genetic testing to ensure that they are free from inherited diseases or conditions. (But not always, always verify the health testing results! I can help you with this even if you’re buying from someone else-ask me) By choosing a puppy from such parents, you have a higher likelihood of getting a pet with good overall health and a reduced risk of genetic issues.

2. Temperament and Behavior: Show dogs typically possess excellent temperaments, as judges assess not only their physical attributes but also their behavior in the ring. Dogs can be excused from the ring if the judge cannot examine it. The breed standard calls for ACD to be amenable to handling. Consequently, champion-titled parents often pass down these positive traits to their offspring, resulting in well-rounded and easily trainable pets.

3. Trainability and Intelligence: By selecting a puppy from champion-titled parents, you increase the chances of getting a pet that is intelligent, quick to learn, and eager to please, making training sessions a more enjoyable and successful experience.

4. Conformation and Structure: Show dogs are evaluated based on their conformation, which refers to their physical structure and adherence to breed standards. This means that champion-titled parents are likely to have desirable physical attributes, such as proper proportions, good bone structure, and balanced movement. As a result, their offspring may have a better chance of being physically sound and less prone to certain health issues related to poor conformation.

5. Breeder's Commitment: Breeders who invest in champion-titled dogs demonstrate their commitment to improving the breed as a whole. They strive to produce puppies that not only excel in the show ring but also make outstanding companions. By choosing a puppy from such a breeder, you benefit from their expertise, knowledge, and dedication to producing well-rounded pets.

Remember, while champion-titled parents may add to the initial cost of acquiring a puppy, the long-term benefits and peace of mind they provide are often worth it. Whether you have dreams of participating in dog shows or simply want a loving and well-rounded pet, choosing a puppy from a litter with champion-titled parents can greatly increase your chances of finding a remarkable companion.

30/08/2023

Good read. New puppies are always an adjustment for the family. And for them. It takes time and realistic expectations help smooth the transition.

I wanted to touch base on a common issue that breeders come across with new owners.

Realistic Expectations

You go to the breeders home. The pups are all social. They are quiet in the pen. The breeder shows you videos of them being totally relaxed at a dog show. 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. 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. Differnt 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 dont 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 being 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! 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 9-13 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
- 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 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.
Author: Karen Balinski of Killara Field Spaniels

15/08/2023

24/07/2023

A subject which needs to be understood!

Dogs are complex creatures with individual needs, likes, dislikes, agendas ....the list goes on ...and guess what !! Just when you think you KNOW what that list consists of - it can change!

Dogs go through lots of behavioral changes as they go through their developmental stages of life.

Here, at The Barking Lot, we take great care to LISTEN to the dogs - observe the behaviors- create rules and structure to allow safety and security - we lead the dogs into appropriate interaction and play and we extinguish opportunities for questionable or unsafe behaviors.

SOMETIMES dogs reach a point in their development or maturity where they decide they no longer enjoy the environment and interaction styles of a busy daycare - THIS IS NORMAL!!!! And we RESPECT THAT AND WE RESPECT THE DOG!

Please understand .....a dog who has exhibited displeasure with large play groups STILL has A LOT of other avenues of fulfillment !!! Training, hiking, walks, fetch, swimming, a ride in the car, learning a new trick ....the list goes ON AND ON! But please don't despair if your dog is not a fit for daycare - there are MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO TOGETHER to meet his/her needs!! ❤️

24/07/2023

SOME OF YOU ASKED US TO REPEAT this feature by our breed expert on keeping your dog a healthy weight

TOO FAT, TOO THIN OR JUST RIGHT?
How to know if your dog is the right weight

One of the most heartening sights for me on this page is the number of followers who send us pictures of their active, healthy BCs who are all of an ideal weight. For being the right weight will not only preserve your dog’s active life for so much longer, it will also spare them so many health issues in older age.

It is also vital for working or competition dogs to maintain the right weight to minimise the risk of injury or excess strain on the heart and joints.

Obesity in dogs, in general, is now becoming as massive a problem as it is in people. Similarly it makes them more vulnerable to so many other illnesses or conditions, ranging from diabetes and arthritis to heart problems and a range of cancers. And seeing as we totally control everything a dog eats, it is also completely avoidable.

WHAT IS AN IDEAL WEIGHT FOR YOUR DOG?
What your dog weighs, on the scales, is not always the best indication of how healthy or ‘right’ their weight is, as collies can come in so many different sizes and body builds. A far better guide can be seen in our illustration, where we look at these key things:

1. WAIST. Does your dog have an immediately obvious ‘waist’ when you look down on him or her from above? If so, this usually signifies a healthy weight. Similarly, when you run your hands LIGHTLY down their sides, you should easily feel their ribs underneath without pressing hard. If your dog looks ‘squarer’ from above, without a more obvious waist and you cannot feel their ribs for fat, or without having to press quite hard, the chances are they are pretty overweight. Your dog’s ribs, however, should not actually be sticking out, which could indicate they are UNDERWEIGHT instead.
2. THE ‘TUCK UP’. Dogs of an ideal weight should also have a pronounced ‘tuck up’ where their underbelly tapers up, at an angle, neatly into the groin area (again see illustration). If the underbelly sags down instead, or you cannot see this same slanted angle of ‘tuck up’ your dog is likely to be overweight (though do note some health conditions can also cause swelling of the belly in dogs – covered a bit later).
3. PELVIC BONES. If you put your hand on top of your dog’s ‘bottom’ or hip area, in dogs of ideal weight you should just feel the top of the pelvic bones under the skin. If you cannot easily feel them your dog may be overweight. If they are actually sticking out, your dog may be underweight.

In longer coated dogs you may need to rely more on ‘feel’ than sight to tell if they are the right weight, or look at them when wet. And if in any doubt you can also ask your vet for their opinion.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS OVERWEIGHT
If your dog is overweight, the most important thing to do is accept it. It can be too easy instead to make excuses, or go into denial about it, rather than putting your dog’s health and best interests first. Weight usually creeps up steadily on dogs for the same reason it does on people – too many extra treats or snacks or portions of food that do not match your dog’s daily exercise levels. Additionally, the more overweight your dog gets, the more exercise becomes progressively harder work for them.

You should begin by cutting out all extra snacks, treats and food leftovers and then additionally cutting their daily food portions back by about a quarter to a third, so the reduction is less drastic. If you want to give them treats things like carrot sticks, or lower calorie treats made of fish skin, can be substituted. You want to aim for slow and steadier weight loss over time. Vets can also really help these days with weight loss plans and special diets if required.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS UNDERWEIGHT
People can be so used to seeing overweight dogs in society today – and thinking this ‘normal’ – that very often what they may think is an underweight dog is actually one of perfect weight. Again, if you are not sure check our illustration, or with your vet.

Collies who have been subjected to great trauma or stress – like rescue dogs – can lose weight very rapidly, as can dogs with more super-high metabolisms. Often when the stress element is removed from any dog’s life, their weight will return to normal. However some collies will always be harder to keep weight on than others, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are not also healthy.

MORE RAPID WEIGHT GAIN OR LOSS
If your dog has suddenly gained or lost weight more rapidly, or over a shorter period of time, then a vet check up is strongly recommended. As conditions like Hypothyroidism or Cushing’s Disease can make dogs gain weight or give them a more ‘pot bellied’ appearance. Other conditions can lead to more dramatic weight loss, so it is always worth ruling these out first.

Generally, it is worth weighing your dog(s) more regularly, like every two or three months, to ensure they are maintaining a more stable, healthy weight. It will also give you a chance to act sooner, rather than later, if they need to lose or gain a bit more weight, or if their weight change is a first sign of something else not going right with their health.

Meanwhile all aspects of collie health and diet are covered in my book COLLIE PSYCHOLOGY: https://performancedog.co.uk/.../collie-psychology.../
And in the USA via: https://www.dogwise.com/ #
All text © Carol Price 2022

19/07/2023

Useful information!

14/07/2023

Just a week shy of 2 years old. Miss Secret. Just love her!

07/07/2023

Just some happy dogs enjoying the summer sun ☀️

05/07/2023

It was a bath and blow dry kind of week for Secret and Lochlan. A couple very pretty, clean pups ❤️

30/05/2023

Taco spam! Taco is from my first litter and is co-owned with his favorite people, who are doing an absolutely amazing job being the best dog owners we could have possibly asked for, for him ❤️

Taco is Glacier Sozin's Comet
http://www.cardiped.net/details.php?id=107410

26/04/2023

A little laugh

Please note Clever Paws didn’t carry out this highly scientific research 😂

25/04/2023

2 of Sophie's recent wins, including a 3pt major!

Good girl Sophie!

22/04/2023

06/04/2023

Check out our cheat sheet on skills that show dogs must master.

Use this as a checklist when preparing your dog and yourself for the ring!

05/04/2023

As they say about best laid plans... Sometimes it takes a lot of patience.

Just a friendly reminder to folks reaching out to actual breeders. We are NOT warehouses. We can not magically produce a puppy to fit a specific date on demand.

And you should be fairly cautious and do more research on someone that has that kind of availability all the time as they're more than likely a puppy mill or backyard breeder with no morals or ethics. MANY corners get cut to produce puppies in that format.

Puppies like any other kind of babies are on their own schedule. Sure we like to plan and many of us do aim for Spring through Fall litters with some not minding winter ones as well BUT plans change. Plans fail. The mom might not get pregnant. Singletons happen. Etc.

So please be open minded when you reach out to a breeder that availability is not like a warehouse full of goods.

03/04/2023

A breed that is more than 3,000 years old evolves over time, but farmers who depended on these smart, agile little dogs required characteristics that remain important in dogs we see today: correct conformation, effortless movement and solid temperament.🐶 Say hello to Utter 🥰

Enjoy the Article: https://showsightmagazine.com/purebred-cardigan-welsh-corgi/

22/03/2023

I still feel confused at times as to why there is still such a pushback to using food to train your dog.
“When will I not have to use it anymore?”
“Will I always have to have food on me?”
“Won’t he then become obsessed with all food?”
“I want him to do it because he loves me, not because I have food”
“Using food is cheating”
“Using food means you’re bribing not training”
“Using food will make my dog fat”
“I never had to use food with my last dog.”

These are all just some of the insane things I’ve heard and still hear. And it makes me crazy because I can’t imagine saying these things to my employees.
“When will I not have to pay you anymore?”
“If I pay you are you going to just become obsessed with money?”
“I really want you to work for me because you love me, not because I pay you”

Food is a tool. It is a TOOL. And just like any tool it can be used well or used poorly, but it’s one of the only tools in dog training that I hear more myths about than any other. And that’s unfortunate because when used properly it does so many good things -

Food is a primary reinforcer and for most dogs it’s the most valuable thing they can get. This makes it enormously powerful when trying to teach them how to do something new and/or complicated. That doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate a pet on the head, but they’d rather have the food and there’s NOTHING wrong with that. Just like you’d rather be paid in dollars rather than chocolate bars.

Food is fast. It’s easy to deliver, portable, and also variable in value (kibble vs cheese) so it’s very flexible also depending on your level and stage of training.

Food can help create powerful positive associations for dogs as well as counter condition negative associations they already have because of its value to them. Using food in the presence of other dogs, people and environments helps your dog have a positive association with them and this in and of itself is incredibly powerful. That’s something I don’t think we consider nearly enough when training our dogs even when they’ve past the learning phase.

Food does not have to make your dog a beggar, fat, or totally dependent on it. The context in which you deliver it, the way you ration out the food - treats vs meals and healthy choices - and also the way you cue the dog when training all help alleviate these issues.

I pay my dogs regularly and have no shame in that. As they get better at skills I ask them to work harder or longer for the pay just like as adults we have to work a full week or two before we get our paychecks. I use higher value for harder things - just like you like to get paid time and a half when you work Christmas, and lower value for easy stuff. I watch to make sure my dogs hope for the reward but don’t expect it and don’t take it personally when they’d rather come back to me for cheese instead of a pet. I focus on the fact that they came back.

Getting paid at work is a big reinforcer for us but it’s also not the only reason we go is it? The relationships you have with your coworkers, the pride you have in your job etc are all intricate parts of your motivation, but that takes TIME to build, and at first it’s usually just for the pay. Same with training your dog. At first, yes, it’s for the food, but as you continue and do it right it becomes more about the teamwork, the fun and the relationship, not just the pay. And THAT’S what I wish more people understood. Over time your dog will work often without food for you because he truly enjoys it now, and he’s been reinforced by the relationship and countless reinforcements over time. But you have to put that time and patience in first to get there. And it’s worth it. I promise.
-Helen St. Pierre

31/03/2022

Why we will never sell 2 puppies at the same time to the same home. And why we encourage waiting until your puppy is 1-2 years old and well trained before considering adding another puppy to your home.

29/03/2022

If you would like to deep dive and do some reading on the breed, this is a beautiful compilation of articles with some photos of stunning dogs.

Cardigans are built low to the ground to best nip at the heels of cattle and avoid being kicked. (Dogs who drive herds to pasture or market in this heel-nipping style are called heelers.) The adaptable Cardigan did double duty on long cattle drives, moving the herd by day and serving as a flock guardian at night. During the breed’s long history, Cardigans have at various times worked as an all-around farm dog, hunting partner, family protector, and athlete. 🐾

◾Showsight Presents The Cardigan Welsh Corgi: https://bit.ly/36YjjWs



Source: AKC

02/03/2022

Lets talk a little about health testing.

First, why? Why is health testing so important?
Breeding is a huge gamble. There are thousands of genes in a dog. Some we know exactly what they do, many we don’t. Selective breeding and genetic testing have allowed us to predict and select for color, coat length, and even some anomalies we want to avoid like degenerative myelopathy (DM) or Progressive Renal Atrophy (PRA) in our Cardigans. But many traits are much more complex and involve many genes.

This is where health testing gets really important, and why simply running a genetic panel just isn’t good enough.

As I said earlier, breeding is a gamble. Especially with polygenous (involving more than one gene) traits. Many of these traits are also impacted by enviroment - floor surfaces, nutrition, amount and type of exercise, etc. Some less ethical breeders may use those environmental factors to make excuses for not doing these more expensive, less certain tests, but they are important, and here is why:
Imagine you are playing a card game. You start with 7 cards. Over the next 5 rounds you get to discard and draw up to 3 new cards. You must keep at least 4. At the end of the 5 turns the best hand wins. You cannot guarantee you will draw the 3 cards you were hoping for or will even help you, but you can make strategic decisions to stack your hand in your favor. Or in the case of a litter of puppies, in the puppies’s favors. We cannot guarantee all good hips just by breeding two dogs with good hips. If it were that easy, hip dysplasia would be a thing of the bygone era. However, we can stack the odds in the favor of the puppies and reduce (or increase if breeding unscrupulously) their odds of developing these issues later in life.

Good breeders should be open and honest about health clearances. In Cardigans, OFA hips and elbows, eye certifications, and DM and PRA are all very important tests. Your breeder should be more than happy to share these test results and explain what they mean. Many breeders may also choose to do additional tests, but those mentioned about should be base starting place.

We send our puppies home with a puppy packet which includes copies of both parent’s health clearances, as well as genetic testing results for the puppies themselves. There is nothing to hide, nor should there be. If your breeder is unwilling to share these results with you or explain why they chose to breed a dog with certain results, that is a red flag.

Below is our Sophie’s OFA hip results. OFA judges x-rays which must be taken by select certified veterinarians, in a specific position, via a 3 person orthapedic expert panel, which is rotated to keep judging unbiased and fair. OFA rates hips as Excellent, Good, and Fair (average) for passing hips with no signs of dysplasia and Mild, Moderate, and Severe for dysplastic hips. Dogs may also be assigned a designation of Borderline if the x-ray is unclear and the dog can be retested. Sophie’s hips are good, meaning she has above average hip conformation for her breed. We can’t be certain she will never produce a dysplastic puppy, but by seeing her hips and having them evaluated by a panel of experts (in addition to our own vet), we can make better educated breeding decisions to reduce the likelihood of that happening.

08/01/2022

Potty training flow chart

25/11/2021

“These two boys are from the same litter, boy on the left was paediatric neutered and the other has stayed intact. As you can see, the development the right pup has compared to the left is undeniable, from his skull width, to his chest and shoulders.
This is the development pups will lose out on when desexing before full maturity.”
Credit - Bunny French.
You can view the full article here https://www.facebook.com/100000652508503/posts/4829274297104273/?d=n

13/11/2021

Taco and Bucky are growing into such handsome boys. They have the best smiles 😍

12/11/2021

Wowza, has time flown. The boys went to their homes the first week of October. Secret stayed here. Here is a bunch of photos of the kids from 6 weeks to a couple current of Secret.

I will post some newer photos of the boys their owners have shared in a separate post ❤️