Constantly Improving

You got to love all the ups and downs in life. If not, that it's a long way down.... With that in mind, you have to pick yourself right up(or the help of someone) and move forward to the top again.

I'm constantly trying to improve myself and all the knowledge I take in everyday.  Lately I've been buried in books or articles on the computer, training the dogs, conditioning the dogs, working, and dog shows.  Not much time for writing, but that's a poor excuse.  I do want to share some information on here before I start writing the articles for my website.

I found this amazing book called "The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat" by Juliette de Bairacli Levy.  In my opinion, it's a must buy book. The wealth of information in this book on how to naturally rear dogs and cats is so amazing and informative, plus natural remedies for ailments.  This book was first written in 1955 and has been updated to its sixth edition.  If you are into natural and alternative ways, I highly recommend this book.  I also found the naturalrearing.com to be a very help website and supporter of Levy.

I have finally graduated Animal Behavior College and now have a certificate as a Dog Trainer.
\( ^ 0 ^ )/  From my research about other trainers, I've found that learning how horse trainers train horse, can also help dog trainers train dogs.  So I've been looking into one in particular, Pat Parelli.  He has a book called "Natural Horsemanship" and it's a great book that breaks down how to train a horse.  With all these broken down steps leads to a big picture of what you are trying to achieve to teach the horse.  This is very important for dog training as well.  Check out this book if you are interested in training.

Now for the fun stuff... What going on with me and the Shibas!  ( ^ - ^ )  So I've been showing like crazy, at least two shows a month, so give or take 4 days of showing.  That means a good amount of time a day conditioning plus training and grooming here and there.  Showing three dogs at once is crazy.  Thanks to my man, I was able to show all of them.  :)

I decided to show Kiyo again and see what would happen since she looked great during last winter to summer.  At a fun match, Kiyo took Best of Breed!  I was very shocked by it and was even more determine to see how she does in the ring.  Again, she was at the bottom of the class....  I thought long and hard about her future.  She will always be my companion and my teacher on training dogs at home.  She's my cute little Shiba girl and will always be loved.

Kuma is still fighting his way to the title of Champion in the ring.  He hasn't made a win since the last one in April.  Since the Shiba Nationals in October and now that the girls are in season, he is all girl crazy and not eating very well.  That has caused him to drop in weight and his coat does look great like last year.  That lead me to the Natural Rearing books and so far that has been helping him put on weight.  I'll see if it will help his coat later in the year.  I also increased his exercise to tone his muscles and to stack better.  So far so good.  His movement in the ring has improve since then and has moved up in the ranks of the other dogs.

Kyuubi, are newest little girl, had many uncertainties about her, but we were able to get through them and persist.  Now after just being in three shows so far, Kyuubi has some points on her from winning and gotten reserve winner if she didn't, nothing less.  The first day I saw her I knew she had a presence and she had a natural way of being.  That's one of the things I was lacking from Kiyo and Kuma.  Everyday I'm always impressed by this dog.  She so much different from Kiyo and Kuma.  She's very bold and but yet friendly.   Kyuubi is a little more stocky then Kiyo and Kuma.  I some times call her my little Hokkaido girl(sometimes how she looks, she looks like a small Hokkaido Ken).

Sorry about no pictures..... ( T - T ) My fiance has been quite busy lately and has been using my camera.  Once I get my camera back, I'll be able to post some much needed pictures of the Shiba gang.

New Possibilities

Kuma received another win at the next show after the first win!  It was amazing to have a back to back wins like that!  He's half way from becoming a champion!  I'm so excited!  But till then, summer time is the down time.  Kuma blew his coat and looks pretty skinny.  It's part of nature and happens.  He's liking the down time though.  But we'll be ready for Nationals this year!

Kiyo is having some ups and downs.  She's having some behavior issues that I need to solve.  It's becoming a problem and we need to change in order to make it a better place.  Other then that, she's sleeping most of the day and her coat right now is just wonderful.  Too bad I didn't see this coming or I would be showing her right now.  Oh well, lesson learn.

I would like to announce that we have a new addition to the family!  Her name is Kyuubi!  A friend of mine had asked if I was interested in one of her puppies.  My fiancé (yes I'm also engage too lol) was interested in having his own shiba since I mainly took over Kiyo and Kuma.  So we went over to her house almost every weekend since they were 4wks old and we singled one out that was absolutely perfect for our kennel.  She so adorable and looks so much like her mother, but has the Japanese attitude and hunting instincts that we are looking for.  Plus, she has a very nice coat that we desperately need!!!  We love her so much.  I see great things for her.

While all this has been going and from my last post, I've learned a lot about possibilities.  I recently took a self improvement class that open my eyes and heart to things I've never thought possible.  In the past, I would always analyze everything for way to long and didn't take action, I didn't see what was really possible.  When I first started this blog, it was a huge jump for me, I didn't see it as a new possibility of what I can do for myself and to others.  Now I see this blog as my first stepping stone to express myself and be me.  No one else can do that for me.  This is a place I can share to others of my experiences of my life and by sharing, can help someone else to make a leap of fate of what they believe.  The possibilities are limitless, and if you fail, get right back up and fine a new possibility.

The dogs have been trying to teach me that this whole time, but I was not listening and did my own in the box way.  That's not going to work.  You need to think outside of the box and listen to others feedback.  The feedback is there to help, not bring you down, and it takes time too.  LOTS of time in some cases.  I'm still learning, but I've become more open to it and a better listener too.

Four Months Non-Stop Training and Shows

I began my externship to become a certified dog trainer.  I was so excited!  Been busy working at class and volunteer work to improve my skills and help dogs in need of a home.  Been loving it.  At times it has been challenging, but with the help of my family and friends, I'm more motivate to get through the challenges.  I've learn so much on the field and also has driven me to look in deeper about dogs.  My methods are always revolving and learning new ways to build relationships and leadership with dogs.  It has been an amazing journey so far and can't wait to see where it will take me!  Kiyo has been my companion and teacher since the beginning, so I had to get her involve with my journey to learn together.  I take her to class to practice obedience with her and strengthen our bond.  Wish I had pictures of our work....

Kuma has grow so much since November.  He's now taller than Kiyo and weighs about 25lbs!  A big boy!!!  More than anyone thought he would be.  But so handsome!  We started showing him the beginning of January and haven't stop since.  Anytime we have a chance to put him in a show, he is in it.  It's been crazy!!!  Both Kuma and I are enjoying our time in the ring and meeting friends and new people and dogs every show.  This past show, we finally won and got some points on him!!!  We were so excited!!!  It was a great day.  \( ^ . ^ )/

Early January show

Late January show

March show( I can't believe how much he has grown!!!)

With all these dog shows, we have been traveling a lot.  Always on the road.  Here are some pictures of Kiyo and Kuma on those trips.  Enjoy!

Little Kuma sleeping next to Mommy Kiyo....

Yuck! Get that camera away from me! LOL

Love Me!!!

Can I come down now?

Kiyo                                Kuma