The mission of this Blog is to share our activities, provide facts about our breed, and address pertinent timely issues. You may wish to volunteer or donate to our work.
Another successful Agility Trial. A special thanks to all who helped out at the Trials. We are encouraged by the participation and spirit of the event. We are especially indebted to Lisa Gomes who was the chair, participant and volunteer. Way to go Lisa. The pictures below show some of the excitement and winners.
On Saturday June 20th, 2015 we were afforded a wonderful concert in Camden Maine at the St. Thomas church. Mr Masanobu Ikemiya graciously donated his time and considerable talent for the benefit of Scottish Terrier Rescue. A reception followed where all who attended could mingle, and speak with Masanobu and his wife Tomoko
The program included classics of Liszt (Liebestraume) and Chopin (Prelude in D-Flat major, Etudes in E minor and E major and the "Heroic" Polonaise), and a stunning collection of Ragtime: Debussy, Lensberg, Arndt and Joplin, the latter two also arranged by Mr Ikemiya. He concluded with Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue (1924). This early version discover by Mr. Ikemiya in his research is a robust Jazz version suited well to his enthusiastic and accomplished style. If you goggle his name you will find facts of his biography, discography, and current activities in Maine. You can find a performance of Rhapsody in Blue on You Tube. The energy and mastery he demonstrated will be remembered by all.
The Scottish Terrier Club of New England wishes to again thank you for your generous gift for Scottish Terrier Rescue.
There was a hush, then the decision. Congratulations to all participants
First of Three Parts
The Scottish Terrier and Obedience – Part 1 - Consider Obedience
By Ray Rinaldi
The many breeds of dog existing today are the result of breeders’ efforts to combine function and form. In the past, function was all important. A dog that did not earn its keep was not kept. Our Scottish terriers were bred with short legs, punishing jaws, good noses, and double coats for their role in going to ground after prey. Personality also was bred for in regard to function. Independence, courage, tenacity was needed by dogs in the field. Today’s breeders still strive to maintain that functionality combined with elegance of form. It is the essence of our breed. It is what attracted us to them in the first place, and keeps us loving the breed through the years. We would not want them to be any other way.
For many of us today, however, the main function of our Scotty is not as hunter but as companion. We acquired our dogs to be company, entertainment, and diversion, something to care for and be cared by in return. We spend time with our dogs. We interact with them. Often, that interaction is more passive in nature than active. They sit by our sides while we go about our business. We watch them chew on their toys or bark at squirrels in the backyard. Some interactions are more active. We feed them. We brush them. We may take them for a nice run in the woods, or a walk on the leash in the park. It is very enjoyable for you and the dog certainly. You may not really be looking for anything more, but think about it, How connected are you? Your Scottie is intent on sniffing the ground (The best sniffs always seem to be just beyond the end of the leash.). His independent nature makes him pull you in the direction he deems to go in. You are connected by the leash, but sometimes he seems hardly aware that the drag at the other end is you. Have you ever thought about doing something that was a much more active, involved interaction with your dog? One where you actively engage him mentally and physically? One where he engages you mentally and physically? One where you do more than just co-exist but bond? One where you actually engage your dog as a partner, as a team member? One where you give your dog a purpose and function to perform for you and with you? Consider Obedience.
Ray Rinaldi
One of the strongest recommendations for considering obedience as an activity for you and your Scottie is that it truly offers something for everyone. From local classes to national competition, there is a place in obedience for every dog and every owner.
Obedience has multiple levels and venues. You can be as casual or as involved as you and your Scottie have interest and aptitude. For the new puppy, there is Puppy Kindergarten. For the pet owner, there are Family Dog Training Classes or Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Courses. For those who “get bitten by the obedience bug” and want to get involved at a higher level, there are more advanced Obedience Classes.
Obedience is open to dogs of any age. No dog is too young. Puppy Kindergarten is a fun and wonderful way to introduce your Scottie to a lifetime of learning. No dog is too old. A dog of any age can learn new things and enjoy your attention. I did not start obedience with my first Scottie until he was 2 years old. We were both totally inexperienced when we started but we learned together and were able to go on to advanced levels. And many dogs start much older than that.
Obedience is open to dogs of any background. Formal Obedience shows (called Trials), even at the most advanced competition levels, are open to pet Scotties. Unlike Conformation showing, it does not matter if your dog has been spayed or neutered. It does not matter if your Scottie is a Rescue of unknown background. It does not matter if your dog is “pet quality” or a Champion. In Obedience, all dogs are considered equal. Pedigree does not count. Competition Obedience is a sport of intelligence and teamwork, not beauty and breeding, so all dogs enter the ring on an equal standing. Part Scottie “mixed” breed dogs can become the shining stars of their training class. In the last few years, even the American Kennel Club, the standard bearer for the promotion of the purebred dog, has become more open to allowing mixed breed dogs in Obedience Trials. True, a handicapped dog (deaf, blind, lame) is not allowed in formal AKC competitions, but I have certainly seen them in training classes where they succeed as well as any other dog. I myself have had a Scottie who became deaf when he was older but continued to go to training with him just for fun. I also was blessed to have a Scottie with Cerebellar Abiotrophy (a disease causing progressive loss of equilibrium) who I trained in obedience. He had more heart and spirit than any dog I ever knew and loved to do obedience training. He had to work harder than any other dog in class but he always gave 110%. He enjoyed my attention so much, and the training, and was so proud of himself when he accomplished something that we never stopped training, though we had to make modifications to accommodate his disability.
Speaking of disability, obedience is open to all owners. Over the years, I have seen and trained with owners who needed canes or wheelchairs. There are blind, deaf and hard of hearing trainers. There are owners whose movement has been compromised by a stroke. Obedience does require moving with your dog but it is not demanding physically. Young or elderly, abled or disabled, you can participate. Unlike a dog that is disabled and not allowed to compete, an owner who has a disability is always accommodated at a formal AKC trial.
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