Obedience Trial Champion. And the question is . . .

The following question was recently posted on my blog:

Anonymous asked...

Amy, what is the highest obedience title you have achieved? Also which breed did you have the hardest time training? That’s for sharing you knowledge, all us dog owners appreciate it!

amyammen replied...

Wow, what a great question. I'd swear my mom posted it, but she doesn't have computer access. "Obedience Trial Champion" is the highest obedience title I've earned on my dogs. 1. OTCh Wing-A-Ding Digger UD, flat-coated retriever (1987?), 2. CH and OTCh Fraja Earth Shaker UD, American Staffordshire Terrier (1988?), 3. CH and OTCH Makami Kiwi UD (1990?).
All were High in Trial winners and competed when jumps were set at one and half times the dog's height at the shoulder.
Since they are long dead, I'm eager to canonize these three flawless OTCHs. In the interest of full disclosure though, in future blogs I will share facts about Digger's, Shaker's and Kiwi's strengths, and what I did to reduce and modify their weaknesses. You can also look forward to seeing never before published, mediocre at best, photos.

The toughest dog I ever trained though was my briard CH Prix Weaselle D'occasian UD. This too deserves a separate entry. While I'm at it, I think I need to talk a little about Tess (Siberian husky) and Huzzi Bear (Australian Cattle Dog), my first American and Canadian UDs.

"Hip Ideas for Hyper Dogs" at Your Local Library

Attention library patrons: "Hip Ideas for Hyper Dogs" is suddenly hitting the shelves. Many local libraries are just receiving copies including Brookfield and Central.

But, if you need your own copy or you just can't wait, visit your local bookstore or Amiable Dog Training for a signed copy.

Able the Dancing Chihuahua Strikes Again!

Thank you to everyone who came to Washington Bark in the Park. It was great to see so many owners and dogs at this well organized fundraiser.

See Able the Dancing Chihuahua again on Sunday, August 19, 2007 in Greenfield at 3:10 PM. Come to the Celebration of Pets at Arlington Cemetary on S. 27th and Howard Avenue from noon-4.

Handling of Dog Pack Attack at WTMJ

Who can resist "Monday Morning Quarterbacking"? Not me. If you saw the commentary and video of the stray dog situation last week at WTMJ-TV, you may be asking yourself "Could anything have been handled differently?" Minor misteps become glaringly obvious given a little time and distance. We'll talk about if any may have been made here. Listen to "Your Family Pet" on WRRD am540 the Word on Sunday at 3:00PM.

Stray Dogs are Always a Recipe for Disaster

I know pit bulls, I love pit bulls , but stray dogs are another animal entirely. In this case it is a pack of stray animals terrorizing WTMJ employees. The chaotic scene remarkably resulted in injuries to only three individuals. Get the scoop by listening to WTMJ morning hosts John Jagler and Gene Mueller.

The pit bull featured in the photo is NOT attacking. He is a most obedient dog being sent to retrieve a dumbell in my DVD "Amiable Open Dog Training, How to Train Your Dog to Win a CDX Title."

Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer, Literally

Looking for a good summer read? Reporter Connie Bloom (Akron Beacon) has you covered with her picks which includes "Hip Ideas for Hyper Dogs." This article is appearing in newspapers nationwide, including our own Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Success and the Small Dog

I just completed another Small Dog Class at Amiable Dog Training in Greenfield and what a terrific group of students we had! We'll be offering another Small Dog class in Fall so check the website for an update.

Here's a photo of the recent graduates.