Introducing Spirit Ridge's K9 Crew

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In Memorium
KOAL (Sept 1995-May 2008)

Spirit Ridge K9 Training & Rescue

RR #3, Orton, Ontario

E-mail: jim@spiritridge.net

"...... because sit happens"

The Spirit Ridge K9 Crew!

At Spirit Ridge K9 Training & Rescue, we use our own dogs to demonstrate to clients how pets can double both as companions as well as working dogs. In fact, we consider these two aspects of a dog's life to be complementary as well as necessary for a dog to be 'happy' (we prefer the word "fulfilled") in its life.

The picture below shows our K9 crew as of February 2010.

The K9 staff above (depicted from Right to Left along with the titles earned to date) are:

Spirit Ridge's "Zorro" CGN, RNMCL & RNT (CARO) - trained in Sport Protection (schutzhund), Tracking, Obedience and Rally Obedience (rescued in 2002) - 10 years old. Zorro is a regular helper in our Beginner & Intermediate Group Obedience classes, our Rally Obedience classes as well as our Tracking 'expert'. His unique temperament and high level obedience also allows us to use him in situations where we need to assess clients' dogs who suffer from dog aggression or dominance. Zorro is currently enjoying semi-retirement as his age is catching up to him. Still, his work ethic and enthusiasm when used, is a crowd favourite and many still marvel at his youthful enthusiasm and leaping ability when executing a 'left finish' command!

N' Sonic Boom Van Arek HIC, RNMCL, RNT, RAMCL, RAT, REMCL (CARO), RN, RA (CKC): 'Sonic' (Boom) is the youngest of our K9 crew and the most 'enthusiastic'. It is said that he is unfamiliar with the word 'slow' - hence his name which was aptly given to him. At 2.5 years of age in July 2010, he is the youngest of our crew and has been increasingly taking over the duties from our beloved 'Zorro'. He is used regularly in all our Obedience, Rally Obedience classes, recently showed his prowess in the Rally Obedience competition ring achieving perfect 200/200 scores in two runs one at the Excellent level (May 16, 2010 at the Poodle Farm) and one at the Advanced level (Poodle Farm, April 11, 2010) on his way to earning his RE and RA titles (Magna Cum Laude). He is now in training for his CKC Obedience CD title while he is set to debut in Herding trials in the Spring of 2011. He is only the second purchased puppy by us in the last 12 years as we normally keep rescued dogs that we think can help us with our sanctuary and classes. Sonic's unique talent is that he is exceptional in helping us assess clients' dogs behavioural problems as he will totally ignore another dog's aggressive tendencies when he is 'on the job'.

Bellsha Borae's Kiss Me 'Koukla' (CGN, HIC, TPOC Therapy Dog, Literacy Assistance Dog): At 12 years of age (in June 2010), Koukla is the matriarch of our K9 pack. She is our only remaining black Belgian shepherd (groenendael) amongst a group of four Malinois and our first purchased puppy nearly 12 years ago. Koukla was never much for obedience training but has a unique gift rarely found in a dog - her rock solid and bomb proof temperament has helped her excel in all kinds of therapy work with seniors. Certified and re-certified with Therapeutic Paws of Canada , Koukla has also excelled in our own "Paws for Literacy^®" programme showing off her exceptional talents and love for children and helping us spearhead literacy initiatives amongst school aged children in our own community. She is the smallest of our K9 pack yet she rules with an 'iron paw' and is - without a doubt - the wise and sage leader amongst our dogs. She reminds us every day that you do not have to be big in size (but rather, big in stature) in order to rule in the K9 world.

Spirit Ridge's 'Jesse' (RNMCL, RAMCL, REMCL, RNT (CARO), AADC, ADC, SDGC -AAC, HIC): "Jesse" at 4.5 years of age in February 2010, is the 'throwaway' dog that no one wanted. Found wandering the streets of Uxbridge by Animal Control Services back in 2006, we rescued her and immediately fell in love with her work ethic. At an estimated 1 year of age at the time, she quickly bonded with our K9 pack and within a few weeks, we had made the decision to keep her. That proved to be one of the wisest choices we had ever made. Jesse not only showed an aptitude in Obedience but also gradually eased her way into agility training. Jesse has already earned seven competition titles (four in Rally Obedience and three in Agility) and is now our Agility K9 'expert' who helps us out in our agility classes. Her rock solid temperament has also made her a crowd favourite at agility trials where many handlers ask to use her as a dog distraction when working their own dogs in obedience around her. In addition to being a valued member of our K9 pack, Jesse likes to spend time playing and competing in agility trials with her border collie buddy "Cooper". Not to mention that she is the 'mother' of our pack and brought along 'Sonic' from the day he arrived here at 8 weeks weeks of age.

A'Tequila De La Taniere D' Or (RNMCL): "Tequila" (or "Tikki" as we affectionately call him) is the most magnificent looking of all our Belgian Shepherds and, unfortunately, the one with the "weakest" of temperaments. He is a prime example of what we call an 'environmentally hyper-aware' dog where he notices even a single leaf dropping a mile away and started out as being petrified of his own shadow on a moonlit night. At 4.5 years of age in February 2010, he has come a very long way since we rescued him at 6 months of age. A product of a reputable kennel in France at a steep price, he became expendable as collateral damage when his temperament was unable to successfully endure the far too strict training he received as a young pup. Since he would have, without a doubt, not been able to make it anywhere else except here at Spirit Ridge, we chose to rescue and keep him here. He is a fulfilled dog as he works with us in agility and obedience, is a huge lover of working out on the treadmill (as are all of our dogs) but is rarely exposed to clients as his temperament is too shaky with strangers. As a tribute to his continuing efforts to try and reach the capabilities of the rest of our K9 crew (as well as his magnificent looks) we have chosen to use his likeness on our new Spirit Ridge logo. Tikki loves to be goofy and run with Jesse and Sonic in his spare time and LOVES to roll around in the snow to cool himself off. We love him dearly even if he is strictly our pet!

July 25, 2010 Update: Huge success! At his second Rally Obedience trial, our "Tequila" qualified with a 193/200 and earned his 1st title EVER! He has now earned the right to have RNMCL after his name. To add to his achievements, I moved Tequila up to do an Advanced run that same day. In spite being off leash in an unfamiliar environment and with only cursory preparation on the Rally Advanced signs, Tequila managed to earn a qualifying score of 187/200! Congratulations Tequila!!!!

June 27, 2010 Update: Tequila entered his first Rally Obedience trial at the Poodle Farm. He took a second and third place finish in his two runs with qualifying scores of 194 and 199 out of 200 in his competition category of Novice 'B'.. He will be returning on July 25th to hopefully be awarded his first title!

April 2010 Update: As of March 27th, Tequila has broken through a barrier we never thought he ever would. Through our continuing diligent daily hard work and exposure to humans and other dogs under 'controlled' circumstances, “Mrs. Spirit Ridge” (our agility instructor Suzanne Adams) not only entered him in an AAC sanctioned Agility trial but also had him undergo a height measurement by total strangers at the trial with no 'episode'. With expectations at a minimum, "Tikki" not only managed to hold his own in the ring, but also came home with two first place ribbons!   The biggest joy for us, however, was seeing the huge smile on Tikki’s face when he completed his first run. Not to mention the additional swagger and confidence that he has acquired ever since! Having broken the proverbial 'barrier', we will continue to expose him to trials and Tequila is also now preparing for his future entry in the Rally Obedience ring!

Pictures of the Spirit Ridge crew can be found here .....