Working Nikon in obedience with trainer Ron Stokes at the Working Dog Club of Michigan in Marshall, MI. Photos by Chris Schwimer.










Nikon placed VP2 at the Central Illinois Police and Working Dog Association in Dunlap, IL. He won this big trophy.

A video Nikon learning some obedience using ball drive. I've never trained a dog like this before! (I mean, I've never trained a dog with a ball AND I've never trained a dog like Nikon) The heeling is a little "crabby" and not quite as tight, but this is a brand new concept, we've *just* started taking steps this weekend. Mostly we've been developing the ball drive, then using it to get faster sits and downs (not demonstrated here), and to fix his front sits which were very far away. He also had to learn to bring the ball BACK to me and not run off with it, and is still learning to "out" the ball faster to keep the game flowing.

This afternoon I was, erm, using the bathroom and happened to glance through our pairs of glasses on the counter and thought it made a cool idea for a picture.








Random kitchen bookeh

When Julie arrived she was told the photographer didn't show up (or they didn't have one) and asked to be the photographer. Julie lets me be on the 24kphoto team so I got to be in the ring once again, sitting next to the judge. You have to really focus on the show (pun intended) because 24kphoto promises stacked and moving photos of every single dog so we have to make sure we get everyone!

I won't bore you with the stacked shots. These are a few of my favorites....

























The Sieger, V1 Shooting Star Fagan SchH3



This is Nikon's half sister (by Markus vom Status Quo), Lamborgini von Huerta Hof. She won her class, 9-12mo females.








Nikon's half brother, Logan von Huerta Hof.

Nikon got another VP rating and second place in his class at the Midwest WDA Regional in Union, IL. He was handled by our friend Becky and this was her first show handling.

Photos thanks to Julie Richards-Mostosky

Kenya passed the Family Obedience (FO) and Protection Obedience 1 (OB1) at the Capital City Dog Sport Association. "Family Obedience" involves a long heeling pattern (normal pace, fast and slow paces, turns, halt with a sit, heeling through a group), a sit out of motion, a down with recall, a long down while the other dog is heeling, and three practical exercises: gate, vehicle load, and food prep. The OB1 is the same exercise except off leash, and the down with recall is a moving down. You are also scored on reporting to the judge (basically heeling and sitting right next to another dog), correct positions at the side and in front, and showing correct heeling between exercises. This trial was particularly challenging due to inches of standing water on the field, and the lively group of billy goats on the other side of the fence.

I'm not sure where we placed, I think we may have been High Obedience for the P1.

Pardon the pained look on my face. I got 4 hours of sleep and was nervous b/c Kenya decided she was not sitting her pretty butt in the standing water.

Photos thanks to Chris Wild of Wildhaus Kennels.

The 2009 United Schutzhund Clubs of America Sieger Show took place April 23-26 in Arlington Heights, Il. Nikon was entered in Junior Puppy (males 6-9 months). He was handled by experienced breeder, owner, and handler Heidi Theis. I had not met Heidi previously but heard from several trusted sources that she is an outstanding breeder (Theishof kennel) known for dogs that actually work, something lacking in the west German show lines. This was Nikon's first show after only two short attempts at ring training. Heidi was extremely nice and pleasant to work with; she told me exactly what to do. Nikon still needs more experience but he looked 100% better. His head was coming up and he was not desperately clawing at the ground like in training. It was hot and the sun was right on us so that helped bring him down a few notches. Nikon earned a VP "Very Promising" rating which is the highest rating possible for his age, and he placed 14th in his class (classes at this show ranged from 10-40 dogs).

Joe snapped a few pics for me...

Herr Dux checking the bite


Heidi placing Nikon for the "stand for exam"


Resting while the judge checks the lineup






Good boy!


Earlier in the day, Julie's Cadence got VP in the Baby Puppy class




Nick B's Brody also got VP in Baby Puppy




Schumi got his 3rd VP rating in the Senior Puppy class


Nikon's sister Bailey, Cadence's brother Caisson, and Schumi's sister Annie also got VPs in their classes (no pics).