Choosing a Superstar – Kai Bear
Have you ever seen that movie Sliding Doors? The movie basically points to the notion that each little choice you make can completely change the future. I think about that concept a lot.
When we first heard of Kai (then her name was Sketch), we were told she was a high drive Aussie with performance potential. We weren’t really looking for another dog – Leila was only 6 months old and we still had a TON of training to do that was keeping us busy…but I couldn’t resist at least connecting with the breeder and current family and learning a bit more about her. We had an Aussie Pool Party and invited Kai, her owners and Ami Boxer and her pack – who includes Kai’s sire. I was pretty sure in the first few minutes that she wasn’t what we were looking for performance wise. We enjoyed the day none-the-less and I really enjoyed connecting and talking dogs with Ami.
The owners asked that we give her another review without all the hoopla – that she’d show more drive and focus. I had shared with Jason before we met her that I’d only want to take her if she was already catching or at least tracking the disc and had basic obedience and a nice pile of drive to play with. She had none of the above. We then found out that Kai shares Lilli’s grandsire – they’re cousins – so we gave her a 1 week trial. Her current owners had allergies and she was overwhelming them a bit. We were leaving in a week to go to Ron Watson’s Pawsitive Vybe Disc Dog Camp in Michigan and really struggled with whether to take her or return her. It really came down to guilt…if I’m to be completely honest. I didn’t have the heart to give her back to a family that wasn’t able to really work her. Several friends (and experts) advised us against keeping her for those reasons. When we went to Susan Garrett’s Skills camp in Ontario after Ron’s camp, Jason reminded me of a valuable thing that Susan shared. ANY healthy/sound dog can be a successful performance dog with the right kind of training – or at the very least – a great family pet. I was really just looking for the easy way out – and Kai was going to be a lot of work. During our deluxe road trip to the north-country we decided to keep her.
This really ended up being a long story… Lots of performance trainers of all different sports pick and choose their dogs – all requiring specific criteria. Others like Ron and Apryl often end up keeping high risk dogs – performance viable or not – just because they have nowhere else to go – hence a houseful of dogs! We had a choice with Kai. I’m sure that her sliding doors future would have looked very different from the dog she is today had we not made that choice. And not necessarily good or bad – just amazingly different.
In less than 2 months of focused training, Kai has transformed from a no-to-low drive, not focused, lacking basic obedience, no retrieve and generally aloof attitude towards training to a focused, driven, tracking and retrieving, jumping, flipping machine who demands play several times a day and belly rubs at night…all night. It really came down to Jason’s challenge – that Kai would prove whether or not I’m a good dog trainer. We got lucky with Lilli and we know it. Kai wasn’t being handed to us a finished dog. I like challenges.
So with no further adieu – here is a video of Kai we shot today in the outer band winds of Hurricane Ida – practicing for her first D/A event this weekend at Canis Major. She’s amazing. A different dog. We chose her as a superstar – even though she didn’t appear to be that initially. I’m grateful for the challenge and rewards of transforming and growing with her.
Sarah Duke
Tuesday, 10th November 2009 at 6:32 am
Wow – she looks awesome! Can’t wait to see her compete this weekend! I agree with Susan Garrett’s advice, its all in the training and dedication of the handler.
See ya’ll Saturday.
Jason
Tuesday, 10th November 2009 at 10:28 am
Good Post Andrea. Kai is a really cool dog. She is such a great addition to our pack.
Emily
Tuesday, 10th November 2009 at 11:02 am
This was actually an inspiring post for me. Our male Aussie, whom we only adopted less than 3 months ago, has been up and down in the disc department. Recently, he doesnt want to tug with me at all, yet he will FLY to grab rollers and short tosses, and even recently learned to flip and catch a disc at the same time. I, too, got lucky with my first Aussie. She was born a disc rockstar, and I didnt have to do much for her to shine. (if anything, I’m just holding her back now!) so trying to train the male has been a bit frustrating for me. Your post just reinforces that patience and good, positive training will lay the path to success. Thank you!! Kai is looking awesome! And what a beauty!
Emily
Andrea
Tuesday, 10th November 2009 at 12:12 pm
Hi Emily-
A recent series of posts on Susan Garrett’s blog outline some of her thoughts about the differences of male and female dogs – an interesting read. I share the same thoughts – females are quicker on the uptake but challenge all along the way. Males take a bit longer to learn, but the info sticks and they don’t challenge it as much. Perhaps if you expect the same response from your boy with the same training methods you’re getting discouraged and it’s simply a difference in their nature?
At Ron’s camp this fall we had a lot of coaching on value for the disc. If he won’t tug, ask for the tug before any throws or rollers and when he tugs, reward with a short little roller (keep it short to transfer value for close work). Create tug games like PB&J (or push back and jam), a SG game. You have to build equal value for close and distance disc work so reward the lower value one with the higher value one until they even out.
I was really discouraged and frustrated for a while with Kai’s resistance to training and one day – the light just came on. Stick with it – it will pay off eventually!!
Andrea
Tuesday, 10th November 2009 at 12:20 pm
Emily – here’s a great video Susan did about tugging with your dog – we play this noisy Smack da’ baby game to build tug drive and they LOVE it! Squealing adds a nice touch!
Noooooeeeewwww!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqs54qMgQA
Emily
Tuesday, 10th November 2009 at 1:11 pm
Oh my goodness that was funny! I guess I see what she’s getting at… So we SHOULD play with them like the ‘bad trainer’ demonstration?
Yes, I have seen the recent discussions on SG’s blog about the male vs female. I commented on one of them… I started with horses and since then, I’ve always preferred male animals (dogs, horses, cats) because they were mellower more consistantly for me than females. Now that I have a female performance dog, I am sometimes wishing my male was a girl! Lol! I realize its not the same all around, I have seen some phenominal male performers. My male was definately sent to me to teach me something. I just have to figure out what it is. Lol! We’re attending Ron’s camp in the spring and I cant wait! I think it will be huge in making me and my Aussie’s the best we can be. I wish I had the time to drive all the way to SG’s, too!
Andrea
Tuesday, 10th November 2009 at 1:18 pm
Susan’s place is only 300 miles due east of Ron’s. TOTALLY worth the trip – you can make it in 5 hours!
Yes exactly – play with him JUST like a bad dog trainer. Squeal and smack him and push him back and everything. It will work wonders.
Perhaps we’ll see you at Ron’s in the spring. Can always use another excuse for a long dog road trip!
Jason
Sunday, 15th November 2009 at 4:48 pm
I don’t think I’ve seen that movie. (Sliding Doors) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120148/
Jerry
Sunday, 29th November 2009 at 12:42 pm
We could not be more pleased with the outcome and our choice for you both to be Kai’s new owners. You have shown so much love for her. It truly was a perfect fit and a perfect example of MEANT TO BE!!!
Keep up the GREAT work. We miss her soooo much, but we know she is as happy as can be. Belly rubs and kisses from us (for her, not you.) Thankl you from the bottom of our hearts.
Justyna
Saturday, 19th December 2009 at 12:46 am
Hi guys,
I am a seasoned disc dogger and recently took in a dog that I probably should not have taken in – very unsure of himself, low drive, almost no focus. I was out on the web searching for info and found your article. Very inspiring. I’m glad to see what you’ve done with Kai and keep your fingers crossed for my new dog.
Jason
Tuesday, 29th December 2009 at 11:45 am
Wow we are humbled to have been an inspiration and expect that with love and commitment your new dog will thrive. They say it takes a few months for a rescued or adopted dog to really settle in. I think tons of crate time, a lean diet, and time spent tugging and shaping helped build drive and relationship.
Tracy
Friday, 22nd January 2010 at 5:10 pm
Kai’s story reminds me alot of our little red heeler, Courage. I picked him from 30 dogs at an ACD rescue in TN, he was actually my 2nd choice, as he was somewhat timid and shy – he would not readily tug or take discs from me, but he would run out and catch just about anything. That was back in Dec of 07, and I cannot tell you just how many times in that first year I was ready to give up on him and return or rehome him. Courage quickly became a backyard champ, but seriously struggled with playing in public or under ANY type of stress. He was a very anxious dog with seperation issues and lots of general nervousness. Finally, I decided he wasn’t going to be the performing dog I had hoped he would become – and most importantly I decided that would be ok! It seems the moment I just let Courage be Courage – that was when he began to flourish! He started competing in T/F this past year and stunned us all by winning our Skyhoundz Regional, a UFO Major, and taking 2nd at Skyhoundz Worlds. And after that success, I have to work hard to stay grounded in my expectations of him. I would love to freestyle him this season – but we will see what Courage would like to do and just roll with it!
Andrea Rigler
Friday, 22nd January 2010 at 5:34 pm
Great success story Tracy! We recently went through that exact thing with Leilani. And ironic, the same week I decided to quit training disc and just focus on her being a shaping/trick dog – the lights turned on! Pretty cool the way that happens.
Let’s hope she’s on her way to her first T&F in the next few months. She’s a social butterfly so keeping her on the field with all those dogs around may be pretty interesting…
Courage’s name is very fitting.