2/27/2014

OMD move pracitce


 
We've done a little bit of One Mind Dog movement practice yesterday.. 
I just wanted understand at least the names and moves before the seminar.
but wow, it will be so difficult without verbal cue as OMD doesn't say much 
verbal cue on course. 
I'm clear that I would definitely NOT stop saying verbal cues,
as Silvia says that "more information is better than less information". 
I agree!! 
It's more likely.. I can't stop talking to him at course anymore!
oh gosh! I am so loud!

but it would be very handly if I could do all those moves very smoothly 
when I can't remember which direction is cik/cap (lol)

Niah did moved so beautifully those tight courses! 
It always surprise me how flexible he is!
If he could improve bar knocking and add a little more power,
then he will be the perfect dog!! 
ha-!

Anyways, OMD OMD.. 
I always remember this band from 80's,
I have this beautiful song in my head when I hear the name of OMD.
and when I am practicing OMD staff ;)

Talking loud and clear
Saying just what we feel
Lying in the grass
With the sun on our backs
It doesn't really matter
What we do or what we say
With every little movement
We give ourselves away

I LOVE THIS SONG ;) :)

I will keep talking loud and clear say just what I feel!!! 



セミナー前に少しでも動きと名前だけでも把握しようと思って
下のビデオのパートを少し練習してみました。。が!うーん 難しい〜。
やっぱりこれをバーバルコマンド無しでなんて絶対ムリ!
というか、これからも絶対バーバルは付けて行くと思います。
でも右左、Cik/Capはこういう時言えなくなりそうなので、
こういう動きが出来る様になりたいもんです。

でもニアは本当にこういう小回りが効くんですよねー
自分でも驚くくらい!
あとはバーを落とさなくなって、もうちょっとパワーがつけば
ニアくん、最高なんだけどなー :)

ところでOMD!と聞くと かならず この80年代のバンドO.M.Dを思い出すのは私だけ?
このTalking Loud and Clearって曲がかなり好きで
いつもOMDの練習をしてるときはこの曲が頭の中で流れてます〜
トーキングラウド&クリアー
Say just what we feel lying in the grass..
って言ってるくらいだし、 
バーバルはやっぱりしっかりクリアに言った方がいいんだよー
と自分に言い聞かせています :)

 

2/25/2014

Excellent Jumping Journey, 2013


It has been nearly one year since we have received first clear run in Excellent Jumping at Warrnambool trial in March, 2013.
We needs 5 passes to get Ex Jumping title and go up to Master level. 
but it's already one year!!!
I thought it is great chance to look back and think what was causing all those errors, misunderstanding and disconnections..

1. Emotionally, I have been giving up about getting a pass or thinking of winning because of he knocks bars and very sensitive to my handling mistakes. 

2. Physically, I was always too conscious about he will knock the bar when I run too fast or doing rear cross.. 

3. Disconnection was, Tunnel Entry! The most difficult thing was to connect with him when he look at the tunnel entry right infront of his face and get his focus out of it to me.
We lost so many passes from getting into wrong side of the tunnel. 

4. Mentally, I was always conscious about making mistake with my verbal cues.
So Watching most of the runs from the last year, My shoulder/chest are not giving much
information to him. I was relaying on Verbal cues and my force movements.

But! since I started think of chest, toe, shoulder and being far ahead of him to give him more clear information, He started running much much better. It was just really excited to run with him last weenend's trial.  He was faster than some of the very fast 600 Border Collie, and my school's instructor, who has 10 years of agility experience, and very fast border collie! 
Some of the very good handlers came up to me and said, 
"I've never seen Niah running that fast!" 
How exciting to hear that!?

One more pass to go! but before I think of that, I just wanted to review
his Excellent Jumping journey so I know what I have been doing and what was really good about him! 
We can't wait to start Masters soon with him, 
and I think we are ready for it ;)

去年の3月に初のExcellent Jumpingのクリアランからかれこれ1年!
Excellent Jumpingはパスが5つでmasterクラスへと上がれるのですが、
去年は本当にダメだった。。もう一生エクセレントから這い上がれないと
思うくらい重い足かせ(姉の言葉を借りました)状態だったのです。
でも今こうやってビデオを再度見てみると、、

1. 私の動きに過剰に敏感でバーを良く落とすので、パスする事を諦めていた
2. レアクロス、それに私が速く走りすぎるとバーを落とす事が判明し、それから私が躊躇するようになる。
3. トンネルエントリー。トンネルが目の前にあると吸い込まれる様にどぼんと入って行く。。まるで私のコマンドは届かない(見ていない)
4. バーバールを間違えるのではとはらはらしながら走っている。

そして私の肩はあまり動いていない、足や胸の向きを
考えていない、バーバルキューがしっかり言えない事心配しながらも、バーバルや自分のモーションに頼りすぎている!

でも!今年に入ってなんだかニア調子がいいんです。 
それもやっぱりこの事に気づいたからかな(笑)
先週の土曜のナイトトライアルでの走りは本当に大満足できるものだったし、
かなり速い600のボーダーや同じスクールで教えてもらってるインストラクターのボーダー、それにクリアが6頭くらい居た中での1席だったのでこれは嬉しかった。。
ベテランのハンドラーさんやスクールのインストラクター達に
ニアがあんなに走ってたのみた事無いよ!!と言われました。
あと1つのクリアでマスターに行けるのですが、その前に2013年の復習。。
というか良かった所のハイライトのビデオを作ってみました。
色々と良い復習が出来ました。そろそろマスターで始められる?よね ニア

2/23/2014

Night Trial and Jumping First Place

Saturday was Night trial! 
So it started at 5:30pm.  Its still nice summer temparature in melbourne now so it was actually great night...

BUT!! it was a bit too big number of people for night trial.  
It actually finished at 12:45am!!! 
When I got home, it was 1:30 am.... :(
After 9pm got very cold and I wasn't wearing enough cloth. 
Also I missed out buying dinner. 
so I was so hungry and cold :(  it was a bit hard night afterall!!

BUT We did 2 runs and Niah was running great! 
we've got 1st place in Excellent Jumping :) 
Agility was 2nd place, Very unlucky that he missed tunnel. 
but He was the fastest dog in the ring :) 
Running Contact was good, he's got both of contact ok. 
It was a bit too high hits and worried me a little bit.. but hit is hit! 
I should be happy with him!
We've got many prizes! So lucky that I didn't only get doggy staff, 
I've got Jamie Oliver's recipe book too ;)


土曜の夜はナイトトライアルでした。
夏の昼間のヒートを避ける為に、夕方から行なわれるトライアルですが
この日は結構涼しくて過ごしやすい日だったので外で座っているのが
心地よかった。。。のですが、、
夜9時を過ぎると突然気温が一気に下がりジャケットじゃないと寒くて震えるくらい!
薄い上着一枚しか持って行ってなかったし、おまけに夜ご飯買い忘れてしまったのに
エントリーが凄く多くて終わったのがなーんと夜の12:45分。。。
家に帰り着いたのは夜中の1:30でした。。真夜中、、
お腹すくし凄い寒いし、もう我慢大会状態でした。。

でもニアくん凄く調子がよくてなんとジャンピングで1席ゲット!
かなり速いボーダー達を3匹抜いての一席だったのでこれは嬉しかった!
そしてアジリティも2席をゲット、タイムでは一番速かったのですが、
小さいリフューザルをもらいクリアできませんでした。
でもランニングコンタクトは両方ばっちり!少しヒットが高すぎたのが気になりましたが
でもヒット出来た事には間違いなし!
喜んでいいはず〜♥

商品いっぱいもらったよ! 
犬の商品はいつも本当に嬉しいんだけど、
今回の新しいジェイミーオリバーのレシピ本は嬉しかったな :)
 

Weekend beach walk

金曜の夜はまた片道80キロ走ってサマーズのビーチへ夕日を見に散歩に行ってきました。
かなり時間が掛かるけど、この空とハッピーな犬達を見ると
疲れもストレスも吹っ飛びます!
満潮の時は崩れ落ちた木が沢山転がっているので、この上を走り回って
天然の障害物アジリティーができるのも楽しいみたい。
琴もニアもとにかく大はしゃぎ。

We went to quick beach walk at Somers on Friday night. 
Long driving, but as soon as see these super happy face and beautiful sun set,
long drive isn't bad at all!! 
We have to walk through between the fallen trees when it is high tide, so dogs can 
do natural obstacle agility here :) They were running and jumping around! 
 







2/18/2014

Playful goats :)


I want to pet goat in the future!!

2/17/2014

Happy Birthday Koto!! Big 6



琴ちゃん誕生日おめでとー
琴と一緒に過ごす時間は本当に大切な時間。
いつも色々と難問を問いかけてくれて、私達に沢山のライフレッスンを教えてくれてありがとう!
琴は本当にクレージーな犬だけど、そんなクレージーを心から楽しんでる私達も
クレージーなんだよね:)
これからまだまだ教えないと行けない事が沢山あるけど
ゆっくり私達のペースでやっていこうね
一杯チャレンジを与えてくれてありがとう!お陰で毎日楽しい♥

誕生日プレゼントは手作りのラバー付きバランスボード(リハビリ用)
それから琴の大好きなぴーぴーオモチャと
ローファットでベジタリアンのガム。 (リハビリしてるから体重は増やせない)
でもアジリティまた出来そうで本当によかった!
さんざんだった5歳は終わったから、6歳は良い歳にしようね〜

Koto turned to Big 6 today!! 
Every moment with you, is my treasure and joy, 
Thank you for teaching me many life lessons! You are crazy dog, but we are also crazy people living with you and enjoying you so much :)

We still have a lots to learn with you, 
I am so happy to face to next challenges with you!

For her Birthday present, She has got our handmade rubberised balance board (for more rehab work)
Koto's favorite squeaky toys (one is already broken... )
and vegetarian /low fat chew (she is on a diet!) 

And the best thing is that we can run agility with you again!! 
The terrible 5 years old is finished!! now we just have to make 6 years old happy and healthy!
Thank you for your recovery and giving us a HUGE happiness ! 



2/16/2014

Rubber Dog Walk




週末ようやく雨が降りました!!
もう1ヶ月以上全く降っていなかった雨、それだけじゃなくて
40℃以上の日がずっと続いていたり、山火事が大発生していたり、
全ての公園の芝生は枯れて茶色になってしまい、
街路樹もどんどん枯れています。 本当に恵みの雨です!
あまり沢山の量は降らなかったけど、
もっと降ってまた街が緑にもどればいいなー

今週末は雨の後の過ごしやすい気温だったので ずっとやりたかった
ドッグウォークにラバー付けをしました。以前はペンキにラバーチップを混ぜて
滑り止めにしていたのですが、やはりラバースキンのドッグウォークとは感触
が全く違う。
色のついたラバーチップ は結構高くて、1キロ$9ドルもします!
なのでコンタクトの部分の5キロぶんだけをカラーで購入しました。
それにこのラバーを固める為のレジンのバインダーも1リッター6ドルします。
おおよその計算ではドッグウォークに15キロ−20キロのラバーが必要と言われています。計算するとスキンだけで$180ー$200くらい掛かります。
なので以前買っていた 1kg$1のリサイクルタイヤのチップ利用して 黒いスキンにしてみました。
そうすると全部会わせても合計$100ドル弱くらいで済みました。
ずっと使う物だし、$100で安全性がアップするなら全く悪くないです!

でも黒いラバーを使うのにかなりためらいもあって、一体犬にはこの黒ボードがしっかり見えるのかが心配でした。でも芝生の緑とのコントラストもあるし、去年一年間 何百回もドッグウォークを走らせたのでマッスルメモリーもしっかり記憶されてるはず。あと夏はかなり暑くなりそう。。でもとりあえずやってみました!
思っていた以上に見た目も悪くないし やっぱりふわふわの柔らかいラバーは全然違う!
走りやすそう〜! 早く乾かないかなー!
使って見るのがたのしみ!あとは早く琴に復帰してもらうしかないー :)

We finally had a precious rain this weekend! 
Hopefully most of the bush fire will be gone and give us back green grass!!

We finally did rubberized our dog walk because it was nice and cool temparature after the rain. 
wow, what a job! 
It took two of us for 4 hours to finish 3 boards and one balance board. 
It was a bit mess job but 4 hours isn't too bad! 

First of all, we had a very tight budget.  
We couldn't afford to get co loured rubber chips :( 
which cost $9/per kilo.
and resin binder cost $6/per litter. 
So we decided to use the most cheapest option to rubberizing. 
We've bought 5 kg of coloured chip for contact area, but we used
a bag of recycled car tire rubber chip, which was only $1/per kilo. 
We used about 15kg of black rubber chips, 5kg of coloured rubber,
and 5 litter of binder. 

So total cost of rubber skin was about $100. I think its not bad at all! it will improve dogs safety and they can maybe run in their best, and we will be using DW for long time!

One thing that I have been worried is if the dogs can see the black dog walk 
well when they are running in full speed? 
Pretty sure that they do have muscle memory since they have run over the dog walk 100s and 100s of times for one year. 
And there will be contrast with green grass, pretty sure that they will get used to it, and its so much softer and smooth edge!
Very happy that we don't need to worried about slipping anymore! 
I can't wait then to get dry and use it :)




2/14/2014

Turns..

最近のアジリティの事。。(日本語だけ)
シルビアのハンドリングで何が一番難しいというと、、
やはり全ての障害にVabal Cueを付ける所。
Cik/Cap、Right/Left この4つだけでも、長いコースになると
未だに ぐちゃぐちゃになります。
やっぱり全て言えないです。。というか無理ですぅー!
これはやっぱり20年以上の経験が有ってからこそ出来るシルビアならではの
”技”だなーとつくづく感じます。
cikcapは まぁまぁ言えるのですが それでもやはりたまに逆になっていたり、間に合わなかったりします。
オーストラリアのこんなに簡単なコースでさえ、、こんなだなんて。。
そんな事に悩んで来たあげく、昨年から
タイトターンと右左をあからさまに違うようにハンドリングするのが一番なんだろうなぁとおもい始めました。もちろんCikCapは
ディセル(ハンドラーがブレーキをかける動き)がCueなのですが
ヨーロッパの人達がよく使ってる腰を思いっきり曲げて、”ここでタイトだよーー”という
サインを使ったり、ノースグラブ、トンネルブレーキが使えるようになりたい。。
”あからさまさ”をCueとして使える様になりたいと思い始めて、OMDのハンドリングにすごく興味を持ったのです。OMDのメソロジーもかなり納得出来るし、なんといってもあの本当にクリアなハンドリングと犬とピッタリあった息...

でも 最近気になるのが マーケティング! 
プレミアムメンバーになったほうがいいよーーっていうメールやお誘いが凄い。。
メンバー費もかなり高いです。でもオンラインコースじゃないのに、自分の練習ビデオは投稿できないし、、
コメントもしっかり貰えない。
シルビアのクラスとは違って 一方通行な気がしてメンバーになる気がしません。
(シルビアは1日10時間以上オンラインクラスのコメントに時間をかけてるんですよ)

ところでSusan Garretのニューハンドリングのコースが千ドル近くするの、知ってました?!
New Handling!! って凄いマーケティングしてるけど、、完全Greg のハンドリングだったのを辞めて、ブラインドクロスとかThreadle Armとかランニングコンタクトとか、、他の人がやってたのをブレンドしただけなのに、、なんでそれをニューハンドリングと呼び、そしてなぜ生徒一人千ドルも請求できるのかしら?
そんなにお金稼いでどうするのかな?
彼女がランニングコンタクトのレッスンを始めたときも たしかレッスンフィーが2千7百ドル(位だった)
と聞いて飲んでた物吹き出した記憶はまだ新しいのですがね(笑)

そして最近はDaisyのOMDに対する侮辱が凄い。。彼女のマーケティング作戦も結構
凄いんですけど。DaisyはOMDが改めてつけた名前がまず気に入らない様子、、
Tandem TrunはRear Cross on Flat、
Jaako's TurnはKetcheker Turn、
Forced Front CrossはLead Out Pivotじゃないか?
なにもわざわざ新しくてファンシーな名前に付け替えなくてもいいんじゃない?と言っています。
確かにかなり混乱する名前で私も混乱していましたが、どこの国にも別の呼び方があるので
これはこれでもいいのではないでしょうか?
でもDaisyのコースはかなり良心的価格、おまけにやはり先生をしていただけあって、
コーチングのクオリティがとても高いです。ほんとうに初心者にも解りやすいしいい先生だなぁと思います。
でも、、 私としては世界をリードするハンドラーとして、コーチとしてもっと毅然とした態度で居て欲しいもんです!

やっぱりハンドリングは色々勉強しても やっぱり心から犬とコーチングを愛するシルビアのレッスンへ戻る事になりそう:) 
あといつ見ても健全でハッピーなオーラたっぷり、Jenny DammやJeljikoの走りを見てると幸せになります。



とにかく 良心的な金額でインタラクティブなコースでプロフェッショナルなビデオコーチ。
が揃えばいいのにね :)そんなのないかー。
でも一応 アジリティもスポーツなので 健全と誠意を持ってビジネス をしてほしいものですよね。
世界を目指す人とは ローカルの競技会で遊ぶだけの私とは全くレベルが違うのですが、、

とにかく、私とニアは、、まだまだ!! ギクシャク動き。。




2/12/2014

New Jumps!



Here is our new jump prototype!
woohoo! looks great and its so stable but actually light weight to carry for me.
It's not yet height adjustable but we have few ideas to make it 
adjustable. For now, we made jump cups by rubber cups for plumbing and it went well.
We made various shapes to test them. Pic 3 is the final shape that we used. 
But this cup cost $2, then thinking of the time of making them.. it might be easier to buy jump cups from 
overseas ..?
Anyways, I will make another 4 sets.. so I will have 6 of these triangle wing jumps, plus we have 2 wing jumps..
That's enough for our small back yard :) 

自家製ジャンプのプロトタイプ、2つ完成しました。
プロトタイプにしては上出来でしょ?
かなり頑丈だし、ステーブル。でもこれが以外と軽くて持ち運びも楽!
ただ、まだ高さ調整が出来ない状態。バー受けを水道管の使うゴムのカップを切って
色々な形をテストで 作ってみたんだけど、この形が一番すっきり、なのにしっかり固定できます。
でも沢山作るのは面倒です。。それにこのゴムカップが1つ2ドルする。。
どうしようかなー。

2/11/2014

Notes / 教訓

One Mind Dog note that I saw at their web site. I love this one.
Koto has been a big challenge, but that is why we learn so much about dogs! 
She is teaching us a life lesson :) 
OMDのサイトにあったノートです。ホント、こういう風に考えたら
問題の多い琴ちゃんも私達に色々な人生のレッスンをしてくれているんだと思えるし
解決策は必ずあって、諦めさえしなければ必ず見つかるんですよね! 


This one is from some dog trainer from USA, who was showinga technique of dealing with very reactive dog on youtube.I use to do this training so much when she was young.. but not recently. so it was good reminder for me!!
I am also following "Click to Calm" exercises for now,it's a great book and perfect for Koto's behaivior. I will do many training before I talk to behaviorist..
それからこれは所有欲の強い犬にその所有欲を感じさせないようにする、
様は、リアクトするターゲットの犬から十分な距離を置いてリアクトする直前でトレーニングをする事です。
これも随分前からやって来ているトレーニングですが、最近散歩中に犬に興奮する琴を良くみている、、
という事は、距離を置かずにリアクトさせているという事。。
上のリンクはYouTubeで拾ったビデオですが、こういった毎日のトレーニングは本当に大切。
"Click to Calm"
というクリッカートレーニングの本 も今はもう一度読み直しています。
この本は本当に勉強になります〜!トレーナーさんに相談する前にに まず出来る事から徐々に始めるつもりです。




2/10/2014

1 Week of Re-Socilization -Focus and Impulse control-

琴の社会化リトレーニング開始しました。
第一周目はシンプルにクリッカートレーニングから始めます。
クリッカーを使いながら集中力を高める訓練とインパルスコントロール
(衝動や欲求をコントロールする事)
"Developing Focus & Impulse Control"
今晩はアジのレッスンがあったので、アジの練習をしている犬達のそばで
Look at thatゲームをしたり、走っている犬の隣でフリスビーで遊んだり、
リアクトする前にきもちを 落ち着かせるなどといったシンプルな事から
始めました。
そういえば去年は琴の手術、ディーンの足の怪我、琴の足の怪我と本当に
さんざんで考えてみたら 殆どアジリティは出来ていませんでした。
公園にもあまり連れて行かなかったし、かなり犬から離れた生活をしてしまったので
リアクティブになってしまうのも仕方なかったのかな。 もともとパピーの頃からリアクティブだったですし!
でも 今晩の琴は結構いい集中力だったし、ディーンも
しっかりと琴とコネクションを作って 二人ともとても楽しそうにしていました!
まだジャンプはさせませんが、一番低いバーとトンネルくらいならいいかなという感じです。
なにはともあれ、とにかくアジに復帰できて 本当に本当によかった〜。。

この2ヶ月2日に一回やってきたリハビリのビデオ が沢山あったので
ビデオにしてみました。これ以外にもピーナッツボールなど
まだまだ沢山やってるのですが、また今度!
So.. First week with Koto's retraining. 
We simply start with clicker training with lots of look at that game to develop
focus and impulse control.
Tonight we were back in agility training, just to do some clicker training for Koto and 
have fun running near the dogs, running agility. 
We just realized that we haven't took her to agility for nearly 6 month. 
wow! Dean was injured for a long time and then Koto started to limp. 
2013 was surely bad year for both of them. 
And that was one of the reason why her reactive/sensitivity became worth and started to show
stronger dog aggression. She was very isolated from dogs.. 
 
Anyways, Tonight session was actually great! 
She react at some dogs the beginning,  to the dog weaving, or running on course but 
Dean did build good bond with her with frisbee and treats and constant circle works and she was focused on him so so well!

We are not going to let her jump yet.. just lowest bar and tunnels to build up, but really happy that she IS back in agility!! REALLY HAPPY :)

here is a video of some daily exercises that we have been doing the last 2 month. 
We also did peanut ball exercises and lot more. 

2/06/2014

Anti-social Koto

琴は今月6歳になります。とてもいい区切りなので琴が なぜこんなに
社会化の出来ない、犬嫌いな犬になってしまったのか、もう一度じっくり振り返ってみたいと思います。
3歳まではこんなに酷く無かったのですが、
得にここ2年間、琴の犬嫌いはかなりエスカレートしています。
犬と喧嘩したり傷つけてしまったら大変なので 
普段はあまり犬のこない公園などで遊んでいて、
社会科をさせる機会を与えていないからでしょうか。。
今回のポストは犬の訓練士さん、もしくは学校などに相談したくて琴の経歴を書き出してみました。長いので英語だけで書いています。ごめんなさい。
でもこれからはこの問題に向かい合って行くつもりです。 長い道のりですが、
どうにか訓練して治して行きたいと思っていますので、応援してください。
訓練内容なとここで報告していきます! :)
 
Koto is turning to 6 years old in few weeks. 
And I want to look back again and think about why did she became "dog aggressive" 
and "anti-social dog".  In fact, she was quite social dog until about 2 year old. 
She could go to public places, dog parks without much problem until she was 3.5 years old.
But recent Koto is very different. We can't let her off lead when dogs are approaching her, 
we are afraid of dog fight occurs and she will hurt some dogs.

When she grown up into mature age, she started to ignore dogs and only focused on us.  
I was told that it is just a natural working BC's behavior, Nothing to worried about.  





Puppy searching story: 
I moved to Australia in 2006, then we've got Koto in mid 2008.
I had no idea how to buy a puppy in Australia, also it was the very first dog for Dean, I grew up with many dogs but never properly trained. She was our very first dog.

I started to research on google, I was looking at rescue group puppy, e-news paper, local trading post. We researched, and also went to see dog show and look at different breed and temperament to understand what breed will be suitable for us.  We were still young and very active couple without children. We thought we can handle high energetic dog who loves exercise / hiking /camping.
"Border Collie" was one of my dream dog to own since I was young and really wanted to try sheep herding with Border Collie. So I knew that I didn't wanted to get a show line Border Collie. 
We started to search working dogs, traditional Black and White BC. 

We went to see few puppies, but we didn't like them all..
But when we saw Koto's litter photos at trading post, which was short hair puppies posing on top of the farm truck.  It certainly looked like very intelligent farm working BC with full of energy. 
We felt in love with Koto's litter. 

Unfortunately, Koto's breeder was awful. I surely realised that breeder's wrong attitude to breeding dog very soon, but we were thinking BC is a very intelligent dog,  We could teach anything to puppy.  
So we've bought her even though the breeder didn't let us to meet her parents... 

Puppy called "Kiara"
She was separated from her mom at 4 weeks old because she went back ito herding work just after 4 weeks of giving a birth.
So the breeder put Koto's litter to another person who brought Koto to us. 
She was also a BC breeder and was breeding Koto's relative dogs who also just had a litter. Koto was separated from her litter mate at 6.5 weeks old, to came to our house. 

She sure didn't learn much important skills from her mom and didn't even have enough time to play with litter mates.  

I don't know how much this fact affected on her socialization skill..
But I believe 6 weeks old is too young to start to live without mom and litter mates. 
I would never get a 6 weeks old puppy... 
The breeder should have spay Koto's mom if she wants to use her for full time working dog.

When she just arrive to us in the city Unit, She was tiny little pup. 
Tiny but naughty! She was nipping our ankle all the time so hard with her sharp puppy teeth! 

She loved playing with dogs but she was rough and not gentle:
While she was playing at puppy school, she often gets too serious, 
I was always breaking up puppy fight with this Jack russell terrier pup. 
We had no idea how to stop her nipping. 
She plays with other dog a bit rough and not gentle. 

 Puppy Pre-School

Koto playing with good friend's dog Jyu.  Koto made my friend worried badly because of her sharp teeth can damage sensitive Jyu's eyes and skin.
Puppy Koto playing with staffy puppy.  They played well, but it was rough..
We break them up so many times.
Greeting Young BC at the beach. Puppy Koto had this quite hyper tension to meet other dogs. She was full of power, a energetic and high drive farm dog that we were searched for......

Socialization list what I've done with Koto: 
- Daily walking at Rathdowne street's cafe area,  I choose busy street environment everyday to talk her.
There were dogs sitting at outdoor cafe table while owners are enjoying their coffee. 
She was always pretty good.  we practice passing calmly in front of aggressive barking dog behind the fence regularly. 



We learn how to teach social manners and obedience at various dog schools until she was about 3 years old.   We didn't know where is good dog school.. so start with local obedience dog club but they were using old method and we just hate it. 
The lesson they let us to practice was "deep and angry voice to say strong NO to puppy." We kept look around different schools, but didn't really know where to go. 
We finaly found the one when Koto was about 7 month old, which was great organization and there were some great instructors.  We learn heaps of basic of dog training but unfortunately, we didn't have a choice of instructor which made us a little confused by  following slightly different teaching method every week. 

 Obedience at Four Paws dog school
 Socialization class at Croydon
We again changed club. One of the reason was I wanted to start agility, So we attend Croydon Obedience club, which has agility club. It was a great class. I really loved my instructor and she used 100% positive reinforcement method, always happy classroom.
We decide to let Koto to wear "Yellow bandana" which means "I need space"
She had a great focus on me or Dean. She was great at obedience, but she often lost focus when dog come too close to us. I always learned lots of tips there, and socialization class was great.



Unfortunately, We couldn't attend agility class there because the club was right next to train line. Koto was willing to chase the train and we couldn't get her to concentrate on agility lesson..I apply for another Agility club but there was 1.5 years of waiting list.

Meanwhile, I kept searched for Dog owner friends who can hang out with Koto. 
I used to be a member of dog socialization group page and I made many dog owner friends. Molly was one of them. She was just 6 month older than Koto, still young but very gentle and kind BC girl. She was perfect and I soon felt in love with Molly and Kerry straight away.  They were so sweet and beautiful girls.

We meet up at the park sometimes, and I also look after Molly once a week while Kerry was at work all day.  so that they could hang out and Koto can socialize.   
I took Molly and Koto to the dog park every thursday,  They were so happy being together.  Video here

We also did travel together with BC pack, let her to expose to "one to one" and "dog pack environment".  Koto was the youngest, but soon she became dominant in the pack environment but she was fine to hung out with dogs.


I used to like finding new park and walking tracks that allowed dog off lead. 
We always kept her distance when we were playing with her.  She was only growling at very young hyper active dogs running in front of her face, but she wasn't too bad. 
She was not social, but she could greed with dogs nicely. 
She was just not interested in playing with dogs,  And it didn't bother me at all.



 
- Her behavior started to changed from just showing teeth or sending sign of "Go Away" light snapping when she turned around 3 years old.  
we didn't wanted this happen to her regularly, so decided to change our daily exercise park to spacial and peaceful Yarra Bent Park.  But I didn't give up going to the dog park environment. She was fine to play near dogs as long as she had some space.  
During this period, at age of 1-3 years old, We were mainly focused on 
"Chasing behavior " 

She was happy, hyper, sensitive and timid.
She became a serious chaser at age 1-3. 
When something move fast, it switched her on, She suddenly disappear from us in full speed to chase after cars/bicycle, train, tram, Foot baller, skateboarder, 
Anything moves faster than her.
She break my heart.. because we were living in the city, on the very busy road.

......................................................................................................................................

One day, we were invited to our friend house Backyard BBQ party. 
Koto came along with us.  When we were chatting with our friends, Koto came back to me with anxious behavior.  I looked at her and noticed that she has a scar right above her left eye.
Then some very generous person knock on my friend's door,
saying;

"Is that your dog? I just hit your dog, please take him to the vet."

Can you imagine how shocking/heart breaking hearing this from stranger man? 
And we found that there was small gap at my friend's house fence.  
Very small.. and we didn't even know Koto went out side of the fence. 
Apparently, she suddenly run in front of this man's car with barking, 
Car stopped but couldn't make it.. she was hit, she fly on the air and hit her forehead on bonnet.  
Then she run off.   Nicely, Car driver chased after her and told us the story.
The party was over, We rushed into the vet after this. 

Luckily... she was totally fine.  
Just one scar on her forehead. 
miracle.. 


I did many reading and research to understand her behavior. 
We did everything we could think of to stop her chasing and it was huge pressure on me. 
because simply, we didn't wanted to loose her. 

We started learning sheep herding,  
(Video explaining Koto at herding school here at 2:05)
We finally could started agility, when she was around 2.5 yo.
and daily obedience such as
 "Look at that games"  "Self control exercises" "Off switch games"
 


After numbers of tears and terrified experiences, 
Her chasing behavior started fade out at the age of 3.5-4 years old. 
she started to calm down a little..
Age? Obedience? Herding? Agility? Self control exercises? 
Who knows! but it worked!!!



My summer holiday was coming up in the end of the year and I knew about dogs much better.  And we finally felt that we can consider to look at Koto's socialization skill.
We thought getting another dog to play with will improve her socialization skill
Dean and I are also getting into agility, if we have another dog, 
we thought we could both do agility together.   

I also wanted to try to raise puppy again from the 8 weeks old. 
This time, I wanted to make sure we have very social dog.  So I searched for the best Border Collie breeder in Australia. I needed to make sure breeder who can raise social and 
good puppy with full of mum and litter mate's love.
I have been stalking Niah's breeder for many years and when Dean agreed to get a puppy, I straight away emailed her.  
When I first time talk to her, I was very excited about how she raise puppy up to 8 weeks old, and learned so much about BC. She had enormous knowledge of BC and long breeding experience. I had 100% positive feel and respect to Niah's breeder.

We request gentle personality puppy for Koto and sure little "Sable" (Niah's puppy name) was a 100% right choice for Koto.
Koto suddenly became a happy older sister when we got him.
She loves him, always following him around, looked after him, played with him, sleep with him and bossing him around and educated him. To me, it was an amazing experience raising a puppy with Koto. 
We helped each other, care each other.. full of love and cuteness! 
My life has fallen into joy with living with dogs in deeper level and soon, we felt very comfortable to leave them in the court yard when we were at work or school. 
Koto was such a good puppy keeper!


But since Niah grown up, Koto's
anti- social behavior gets worth and worth. 

Why worth? 
They were both very good in public places when he was a pup. 
We took them to Quiet and large parks. but also took them to the park separately to make sure Niah gets to chance for socialization. 

But when he turned to the age he can really run,

He wanted to greet every dogs at the park, I let him socialized most of the time if the dog seems okay for young dog.
During this time, Koto was usually with Dean, waiting for the toy come out from our bag. 

When Niah is busy playing with other dog, Dean start play with Koto, If Koto run, 
then Niah must chase her.  This is the daily routine and Niah's life time mission. 
He often brought back many dogs to Koto, following him.  
But if Koto has a ball or frisbee, She never wants to greed dogs and
Koto's started Growl, show her teeth,  then this behavior soon changed to attack position as soon as dog approaches her at the park.

Luckily, She never hurt dog yet, but we seen many dogs scream from the fear and run away after Seeing Koto. 
Koto hasn't yet hurt dogs but she surely did hurt her self quite often. 
She run into stranger dog and injured her shoulder badly in 2012 December. 
Owner was miles away and this dog appeared us suddenly, run into Koto's face and 
they crushed in full speed.  a BIG vet fee and Big injury. 

All of these small incidents made her aggression even stronger.
We felt that we can't take her to the public dog offlead park anymore.
In fact the behavior gets worth and worth in the last 2 years.

What did I do in the last 2 years? 
  • We changed park to even more quiet park,  Under the Bridge park can see it here. It is very large and can see so well if the dog approached to us.
  • Kept her in distance from dogs at agility, but always took her to dog event environment. Played tug with her at dog event or dog school. 
  • Kept working on on/off switch games, look at that games
  • Exercises from the book called "Click to Calm" and "Control Unleashed"
  • We moved house from the city unit to suburban house with backyard. 

  • We take our dogs to the park separately, not often but regularly.



What trigger Koto to become Aggressive? 
  • Possession a ball and Frisbee
  • During walking on lead with us, Dean and Emi
  • Total stranger dog approaches her right in front of her face.
  • Small fluffy dogs like Maltese terrier, poodle, she goes frantic, react to them extremely.
  • People walking with Big long "thing" like ski bag or golf bag makes her very anxious and bark at them.


Another way of thinking is 
She just thinks she is doing what she supposed to do.  
She looks working for us, but she is working in over threshold..

She is the most difficult dog ever, but she is very sweet and affectionate in general,
intelligent and loving dog. 



........................................................................................................................................
 
Many people ask us if she is a "Rescue dog?"

I need to face her dog aggression right now and I have to find the way of

relax her near dogs..It was such a long journey but we achieved to stop her from chasing behavior.  
This will be another long journey, but I believe there is a solution.. 
We must try something..

I wrote this to my blog to ask dog behaviorist or personal trainer to lead it. 
But if you are not them, 
Thank you very much for reading a long story and please understand our love to Koto..
Living with her require strong patient but we also have strong joy,  
We love her so much whatever she is.

I will report my training towards to Koto's aggression in here regularly.