Sweetgrass Farm and Kennel

24/08/2024

And then

We have THREE

24/08/2024

24/08/2024

We have an announcement!! Went out to the coop this am to find a new addition to the farm!!!

20/08/2024

Once again we are very excited to be offering the k9 nosework class with instructor Cheryn Breeling.
Class begins Tuesday. September 17th.
For further details please contact us!!!

14/08/2024

Some candid photos of farm dog class

14/08/2024

Tonight was the graduation and mock akc farm dog test. And im so excited and proud of these teams. Working around all kinds of farm situations from managing to walk on different surfaces to being so well mannered around the farm animals...what a treat to work with all of them. Many thanks to my assistant, Kathy Hutchins as this is a class that can't run without an extra pair of hands!!!
So many congratulations to Marcy, Goose, Cora, Whiskey, Sam, Ryder, Dudley, Walter and ( missing tonight) Tera!!!!!

13/08/2024

This wonderful class worked hard threw some hot weather nights. And what an excellent group of pups and people. !!!!
Congratulations to Nyx, Willow, Archie, Asher, Zoey , Roxy and Corvus!!!!

06/08/2024

I know I speak alot about dog training on this page, but horse training is also a huge thing around here. Working around our horses on a daily basis we rely on good manners, especially with such large animals, and our horses know and understand this.
One " command" we use a great deal...
Stand.
This one is so extremely useful, horses are needed to "stand" quietly and calmly in so many situations!! Grooming, working around them, tacking them up, getting on or off, entering or exiting a carriage. " stand" for the farrier or the vet..
Or when you need to doctor them yourself.
Our Dutch has an abscess somewhere in her front right foot. It's high and deep and when our farrier came to check, it wasn't one she could reach. ( often a farrier can locate and drain an abscess...but not this one) so sadly, we have to wait for this one to present itself.
But one thing that often helps is soaking the hoof in salts and water. Which requires your horse to cooperate in placing their foot in a " bucket" and then stand there allowing it to soak.
I have to say, Ed and Dutch accomplished this very nicely this morning ( and again this evening). And for the next few days ahead.

03/08/2024

Can't say these two were all that excited about swimming.....sigh

01/08/2024

Basically it's people obedience!!!

16/07/2024

AND...farm dog classes this evening are postponed until next week. Let's all hope for more normal temps!!!!!!
All students have been personally notified

15/07/2024

Due to extreme heat, puppy class for this evening has been postponed until next week. All students have been personally notified and posting here to back up personal messages.
Let's hope fir more normal temperatures soon

Heads up, tomorrow class may be postponed as well, will make a decision for certain tomorrow

13/07/2024

LET’S TALK TOOLS

Red Arrow: Harness that fits around the dog’s body and when connected to a clip leash, creates a pulling reaction from the dog. This pulling reaction triggers the shoulders and chest muscles to be used which then influences the dog to use strength to get where they need to. If you have properly trained your dog to walk right next to you on a harness, you will not experience the pulling. Congratulations, I have yet to see this. 😂

Orange Arrow: Flat collar, usually used to connect a clip leash to and often times sits on the bottom of the neck due to gravity and the dog’s head being higher than the shoulders. This then triggers the dog’s shoulder muscles and the pulling starts. Again, this teaches the dog that strength needs to be used to get where they need to. If you have properly trained your dog to walk next to you on a flat collar, you will not experience the pulling. The majority of dogs I see are pulling during this setup.

Blue Arrow: Slip Leash is very high on the neck where it is placed behind the ears, behind the jaw bone, and it allows us to influence the dog’s head and brain. Shoulders and chest muscles are not triggered and physical strength is not used during the walk. When used correctly, little to no pressure is on the leash and physical strength is used by the dog to get from point A to point B. If you have properly trained your dog to walk next to you on a slip leash, you will not experience any pulling.

Out of the 3 tools shown, the slip leash is one of the most productive tools to create a structured walk, a calm mind, and a solid relationship.

Ever watch anyone walk a horse by the saddle?

Yeah, me either.

That’s because when you walk a 1000lb animal, you need to influence the brain and not the body.

Let’s start influencing our dog’s mentally and not physically.

11/07/2024

Socializing....a big word in the dog training business. I often hear.." I took my dog to the dog park because I want him socialize". Well I suppose ( though not recommended by me) one way to "socialize" but sadly that's really NOT what it's about.
Socializing a pup is to introduce new experiences in positive ways. To show them things they don't know or understand.
Perfect example here ( thank you NEADS). Stairs!!! Because this sweet baby had no idea that not all of the " ground" is level and you must move your feet is a different way and use different muscles.
So when one is thinking Socializing, let's think "new experiences "....not simply running crazy at the dog parks

11/07/2024

I HATE to even think this sort of thing still exists, but it does. So, word to the wise

10/07/2024

Just posting that I haven't sorted out a start date for level 2 obedience classes due to unforseen events. When I have a solid date, I will reach out

26/06/2024

UPDATE,, CLASS HAS FILLED

Beginning July 16th ( Tuesday) 6pm, four weeks.. 125.00
FARM DOG CLASS.
Want to test your pups skills in a farm setting? Work around large animals, unusual surfaces, practice with gates and equipment?
This is the class. Based on the akc certification for farm dog title, this is a fun and challenging class.
Dogs are required to have good basic skills, non reactive. Class is limited to 8 dogs

24/06/2024

Busy days here on the farm, and the end of June already in sight
Our garden is really doing well, who knew??
Albert has been doing great service puppy work and I wouldn't be surprised if he's called back before the end of summer.
While we had a beautiful spring, there has been some rather interesting storms roll threw, makes for some pretty photos
Haying season is in full process and yet again a wonderful group of friends that have shown up to help us tackle it all. Our current count is just over six hundred bales of the eight hundred that we plan to bring in
The bees are still in the hive and we'll do an inspection on them soon ...cant wait to see what they've been up to
And the fly predators are in the manure pile starting to do their job.
We've had company pop in for visits and anticipate more threw the summer
So grateful for all these blessings

20/06/2024

Thought I had posted these, but at least I am now. My sweet June puppy class ended up with two graduations!! Commitments with the humans made it impossible foe everyone to graduate together...so just split the class!!
However, it doesn't take away from any of the fun and honors
Congratulations to Finley, Edmond, Bruno, Riggins, Willow, Bentley, Nala and Nellie!!!