This is my first contribution to 52 Weeks for Dogs. Bosco is a three year old working line German Shepherd.
My Christmas gift from my husband, Martin, this year was his willing assistance in working through the exercises in Helen King's book, "What's Your Angle?: Understanding Angulation and Structure for the Performance Dog". The book stresses that you have to take a stack photo using stickers stuck to eight structural points on the dog. This is really challenging to do since we are working with an unhappy “real” dog that doesn't like stickers stuck to his body, particularly, on his hock. It's also winter here in Central Alberta. :) The photo is an outtake from the stacking session and I'm unsure who is more irked with the process - Bosco or Martin.
Tags: German Shepherd Stacking 52 weeks for Dogs
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The photo shows a familiar winter scene in rural Central Alberta. You have bright sun, a blue prairie sky behind a dense wind break of tangled trees, snow, and a person heavily bundled up against the extreme cold (-35°C). Bosco is pushing Martin to play with him by offering a down and giving attention. Bosco is always seemingly indifferent to the cold and wants to engage with his primary human.
Tags: German Shepherd Winter 52 weeks for Dogs toy skills Attention
"Conflict."
Bosco understands that he needs to drop his ball in order to continue the game with Martin. However, holding the ball is very rewarding but so is engaging with Martin. A conflicted Bosco sits and squeaks until he finally makes the difficult decision to drop the ball and continue the game.
Tags: German Shepherd Winter 52 weeks for Dogs
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Maybe tonight
Maybe you'll show
What you feel behind your bow
And maybe I'll go hunting too
Down in the valley with you
(Jennifer Warnes, The Hunter)
Tags: German Shepherd archery 52 weeks for Dogs
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"I have self-control."
When we lived in SW Ontario, Martin trained privately with Bosco's breeder for a few years. In lieu of a good-bye, Dennis always screamed "ATTENTION WORK!!" as Martin exited the building.
Tags: German Shepherd Attention 52 weeks for Dogs toy skills basic position