Lisbon International Dog Show

On this weekend there were the 113º and 114º Lisbon International Dog Show and 10º Obedience Trial

Like last year, the organization was quite good and the concern to put some shades for the exhibitors was excellent.

Also the announced schedule and judgments was kept closer has possible to the announced, so also deserves congratulations.

The organization of an obedience trial in exibit has its merits, since it allows to show that dogs can also do obedience.



Ok, remarks made and congratulations made, next there are some photos.

Our friends Portuguese Water Dog of Casa da Buba and of course my Figo

Our command center

My Portuguese Water Dog, Figo, being showed by Joana Gonçalves, that achieved the 1º breed puppy and 1º group puppy

My golden retriever, Bianca, being showed by her little friend Francisca witch achieved the result Exe

Here I am with my three australian shepherd, and Teco is the star, since he got a Good in Obedience class 2

Once again my friends Portuguese Water Dog of Casa da Buba

Finally, the eye exams, available in a reasonable price is something also to be classified has excellent and hopefully will continue to exist in the following years. I personally took two of my Australian Shepherds, Cookie and Teco, and was very happy of all clear result.

Obedience Workshop

Golden Retriever and Portuguese Water Dog playing on a beach

On this weekend I took my dogs to a relaxing activity by the sea with two of our friends, the Portuguese Water Dog from Casa da Buba.

The intention was of course to have a nice playing time and dog socialization, but also to provide to my two puppies, a 8 months Golden Retriever and a 6 months Portuguese Water Dog, a additional motivation to start swimming in the water.

As you can see on the pictures and movie below, the training was a success and in the end all six dogs were swimming and having a wonderful time.

What dogs shouldn’t definitely eat

I am from the time were giving dry food was something like an luxury and therefore dogs were feed with our food.

So when people say that we must not give any of our food to the dogs, I wonder why not.

So, after some research I found some interesting articles that focus this topic and report in a consistent way what really should be excluded from the dog food.

I thing as general rule, dogs should eat their proper dry food that is given in a pre-defined schedule. For several reasons dry food has evolved and they are very complete.
But like any owner, I like to give some snacks and rewards to my dogs.

In general rice, meat without bones, fruit and vegetables not tempered are a very safe food. Next is a list of not safe food,


Alcoholic beverages: For me is quite upsetting thinking that someone can even considerer to give alcoholic beverages to dogs. If in humans causes intoxication, liver issues, neurological problems, seizures, coma and death, imagine on your dog.

Apple seeds: Apples is a treat that I normally give to my dogs and only the seeds are dangerous since they contain cyanide.

Avocados: They are mentioned as being toxic

Caffeine: Once more one of those things that doesn’t makes sense to give to a dog. Like with humans in too much quantities, it can cause increased breathing, bleeding and heart arrhythmias.

Chocolate: Everyone already heard about this one and so I mention again, chocolate is toxic.

Garlic and onions:: In large amounts, can make a dog anemic.

Grapes and raisins: I didn’t knew about this one, but it seems that dogs can choke on grapes.

Mustard seeds: Gastroenteritis can be caused by this seeds.

Nutmeg: Ingestion can lead to tremors, seizures and death.

Potato and tomato leaves and stems: Can cause serious stomach issues.

Rhubarb leaves: These are particularly dangerous, causing organ failure.

Salt: Excessive salt can cause swelling and fluid retention in the brain.

Xylitol: Ingesting this artificial sweetener can cause a dramatic drop in blood sugar.

Yeast dough: It will expand in your dog's stomach just like it would in an oven. Also, the fermentation of the yeast is toxic to the animal.

Bones: Big enough for then not to swallow in one bite and not to splint.

I hope this list can help you clear some doubts about what can be given to a dog. I can add that rewards and treats should never been given at the table or from the kitchen balcony.

Lost of search and rescue teams

Today we dedicate our blog weekly topic to the Search and Rescue Teams with dogs of Portugal that so much personal effort and sacrifice makes to take training and know more.

On this weekend a group of fireman had an accident in Spain when returning of a search and rescue with dogs training in Barcelona.

It is a great national lost, since we don’t have many with this dedication and sacrifice.

We present our feelings to family and friends.

Portuguese Water Dog in Lagos Dog Show and Water Trial

On this weekend there were in Lagos, Algarve, the dog show and water trials for the Portuguese Water Dog.

Like is of common knowledge, the Portuguese Water Dog is considered one of the oldest breeds of Europe, were its working capabilities, morphology and personalities are unique and typical of this breed.

Being considered one of the most rare breeds several efforts have been made to show and divulgate this dog and their unique character.

Next are the photos of the event,

Portuguese Water Dog in Lagos Dog Show

Portuguese Water Dog in Lagos water trial

Lagos - Portuguese Water Dog

This Sunday, 7 of June, the City Council of Lagos is organizing the II Competition of the Breed Portuguese Water Dog and II Water Trial of Portuguese Water Dog, in front of the Castle Wall Gardens, in front of Lagos fortress.

10 H in front of Câmara of Lagos

A good chance to see the handling and work of this dogs.

Portie and Aussies in Algarve Dog Show

Doggies near the stand Happy Dogs

This weekend was the Algarve Dog Show that we went to visit and participate with two Australian Shepherd, Angel and Teco, and with an Portuguese Water Dog on his first big out, Figo.

It was pity that the majority of the visitors were other nationalities then Portuguese, but maybe because of the lack of divulgation and information among the Algarve residents. In my case I just knew because I received the information by email from friends.

Anyway, it was a nice and pleasant day !

Angel and Teco, two Australian Shepherd

Figo, a Portuguese Water Dog

Algarve Dog Show

Saturday May 30th and Sunday May 31st 2009

11:00 – 19:00 In FATACIL Showground

On this fair you will be able to see obedience, agility, workshops and seminars of dog handling and even have free consultations with two dog behavior experts.

Beginning at 11:30 h this and seminars will be freely given to a limited number of participants that bring their own dog. Some topics will be “Walking on the lead”, “Obedience – Clicker Training” and “Agility”.

This experts will also give free behavior advices and training tips.

With the goal to raise public awareness of the advantages of having well trained dogs and be responsible owners, this event is organized by
Myfriend Petshop and Centro Canino Happy Dogs, that invites everyone to come.

Happy Birthday Brad !!

Happy Birthday Brad !!

Algarve dog training center

Algarve dog Training Center Happy Dogs

On the past last month our four leg family has being training on the Algarve Training Center, Happy Dogs.

Located on the middle of a peaceful country site, has been a very relaxing positive learning experience.

Angel, my red-merle Australian Shepherd, like always, has being training agility and the we are using our recent learned training methods. A lot of work still has to been done, but we are getting there.

Cookie and Teco, my tri-red and blue merle Australian Shepherd, are training for our next Obedience goal, class two and Teco has being improving a lot since we started applying the methods learned on the Obedience Seminar given by Doggy Club. So big expectation on our net Obedience trial.



Bianca, my Golden Retriever, at the Algarve dog Training Center Happy Dogs
And finally, Bianca, my puppy Golden Retriever started to go. She is being trained by me and by my son, in Obedience. Since this is a very sensitive dog, I believe will take some time, but she will get there, since she is very calm, clever and likes to work.

INFO:
Afonso Horta
São Lourenço do Palmeiral, 531 L
8565-911 Pêra
Tel: 282 322 907/ 937 584 457
happy@happydogcenter.com

Algarve dog Training Center Happy Dogs

Don’t abandon animals !!

This week I will dedicate my weekly topic to the nearby holiday season and therefore animal abandon syndrome.

Maybe because of the way I was educated and taught, the simple idea of abandon anyone, animal or person, is quite repulsive to me.

But in a world where self pleasure and material goals are in front of everything, I see right and wrong far and far away in people’s ideas.

So basically, when people have to choose between … let see … an holiday in a resort or their family pet, what do they choose ? guess ? no ?

Ok, but let’s not generalize, so for those who really love their pet and care about their four leg family member, what can they do when they want to go on holiday ?

Like everyone knows, today, hotel for cats and dogs are relative common and you can find one in a telephone list. But for people, like me, that have more than one dog, and other pets, like birds and fish, pet-sitting is a good solution and if you search it on google you also see quite a few results and solutions.

There is always a solution for your pet to be taking care during your vacation and you always have your loyal best friend waiting for your return, so don’t abandon animals and specially don’t consider your pets as objects, since for then, you are their world and their life.

An Australian Shepherd in Armona Island

Me and Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in ferry boat to Armona IslandSince yesterday was 3 of May, Mothers Day, I thought that me and my son should make the most of the day and go into one of those discovery trips.

I already had heard a lot about the Natural Park of Ria Formosa and the first intention was to know and show it to my son, and so we went to Olhão. Of course, without a lot of surprise, dogs weren’t allowed and since I was with my Australian Shepherd, Cookie, I decided to investigate the boats to the island, which some people had also spoke about.

Me and Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in Armona Island beach

Ferry Boat to Armona Island beach
We arrived just on time of the ferry boat leaving and sincerely without knowing its destiny we just went on board and trust our luck.

Now, for my surprise, the trip with animals is something quite common to the visitors and locals habitants of the island of Armona and I imagine my question about Cookie being allowed raised more surprise that the fact of me taking her.

Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in Armona Island beach

Me and Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, near Armona Island houses
The island of Armona is one of the most peaceful places that I ever meat until today and taking the words out of my son mouth, the birds is what we hear most on the island.

The little houses, so I was tolded, are quite habitated and the island has a permanent population of turism and fishing workers.

My son and Cookie in a cofe shop at Armona Island beach

Cookie, my Australian Shepherd, in Armona Island
A trip to stay in our memories, since my Cookie, behaved like a true lady (even being her first boat trip) and was always obedient when I call her and stayed always near me. She is becoming a true companion in trips and travels, since she is reliable and we can always trust her.

Personally I love the area, the calm and peace, considering an idyllic excellent place to recover strength and energy from the noise and daily stress.

Other trips and travel:

• Dogs in Meia Praia
• Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie
• A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd
• Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres
• A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal
• A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos
• Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd

Wonderfull Obedience Competition Seminar

This weekend, me and Teco, went to the Obedience Competition Seminar lecture by Mads Moller and organized by Doggy Club.

All organization and event was very well organized and we must give congratulations to Pedro Araújo for the warm welcome and personal assistance.

For someone that wishes to improve the performance in Obedience Competitions, achieve higher scores and know the best way to teach the dogs in this modality, it was precious and excellent seminar.

Personally I left with a clear goal and clear training method for my Obedience dogs and this was quite an achievement for me, since I was quite confused in how to proper train my dogs.

Of course I give a very special thanks to Mr. Moller that shares the some admiration and joy to handle and work with dogs and specially dogs from the breed Australian Shepherd and Border Collie.

Congratulations to CIC Lagos for the organization of Agility Workshop

On this weekend a Workshop of Agility was organized in Lagos and was conducted by Sergio Sousa.

We must give our congratulations to CIC-Lagos by the effort and good organization of this event.

The workshop was given with excellent knowledge and for those interested in such sport was a unique reception of training to better teach and handle dogs in agility.

Worshop Agility - CIC Lagos

More information on http://algarve-lagos-caes.blogspot.com

A Golden Retriever first presentation

This weekend was quite different for my little Golden Retriever, Bianca.

Let see, the weekend started with the trip to the training center with the aussies, and thankfully I didn’t pursuit the idea of taken Bianca with me, or with all of the weekend excitement she could have not be able to handle it.

But maybe I didn’t started the story in the best way ... Bianca, a Golden Retriever, is one of those dogs type princess, very calm, noble, without getting into confusion or trouble and she doesn’t seem to have her young 6 months.

Her faults are regarding cars and car trips that she really doesn’t like. Changes on her routine also makes her confused.

Well this weekend I was challenged by a friend to take her and her sister to the International Dog Show Costa Azul, and the routine started to change on Saturday afternoon, with bath, grooming and preparing this Golden princess, that really hates the hair dryer witch almost made her climb walls.

Her sister also come to take a bath, being groomed and dried and she also must have call me some ugly names, since she also hated the hair drier.

But all set, the sister prepared, and we manage to keep then clean, pretty and ready until 5 a.m. when my friend come to pick us up.

Well I must give credit to the girls that were behaving quite well and no sickness problems. We stop in Alcácer do Sal and that was our finish line, since the car didn’t start again.

So, from a trip to a dog show to present this two Golden Retriever, we had a four hour waiting for travel assistance and then a cab that would bring us plus dogs back home.

We could still manage a ball game for the girls … that I really hope didn’t become to traumatized with all this moving around and switching cars.

Oh well, this is those kind of things that just happens to those that take several long trips on the road.

Marley & Me

On this weekend I took my sun to see the Marley and Me movie.

I must say has a big fan of the book, I can honestly say that movie also achieved to transmit the main message, the love and companionship of a dog and his owner.

What I admire more in the book was the persistence and will of Marley owner to keep him and even through all the adversities of life and Marley mistakes, until the end they keep him and love him.

I must say I took my 7 year old sun to see the movie and in the end he ask me why I took him to see a movie where the dog dies and I answered, for you to learn to appreciate more our four leg family that don’t ask more than company, play and that we taken then to a run.

Don’t forget to keep a look out for the Australian Shepherd in the beach scenes.

A life lesson that my little Aussie theach

On this weekend there was the 1º Obedience Trial here in Lagos, and with the goal of achieving good points and position I went to participate.

Since the different classes where divided along the day, I went in the morning with Teco and had my first shock with my dog.

Let see if I can explain, Teco is an Australian Shepherd and the dog that made the difference in my life by the simple joy and will to be with me and to play with me.
When I kept Teco is for seeing in his eyes what we search so much in another person, the pure joy to be with us.

On this Sunday, Teco, in his doggy way ignore me and show censorship on his behavior.
I confess just today, with a broken heart and calm to look back I understand the mistake I made.

I demanded from my dog, my true companion and friend, to be a machine, where every day it has to work and achieved perfection. I forgot of my small joyful, loyal companion that so much joy show for his owner despite of the many mistakes she makes.

Our search for perfection, wish of conquers and in the end, fear of losing and get hurt just throw away the little joyful moments of who shares the life with us.

Once again this four leg friends showed me an important lesson of life and even with a broken heart it is on then that I see the joy of living and will of every day start again.

So I hope my lesson, will also be a lesson for those who read my blog, and like me don’t forget that first of all there is the need to play, to be tender and love before demanding.

Cookie achieved Excellent in Obedience Class I

We went to the 1ª Obedience Competition in Lagos.

We compete in class I, also known as COB – Basic Obedience Certificate and Cookie, achieved Excellent, witch will allow us to proceed to the next level.

Doggy Club is organizing a Obedience Seminar, for the days 24, 25 and 26 of April 2009, on Montijo Exhibit Parke, with the actual world champion Mads Moller of Denmark.

This Seminar is open to every practitioners of sports with dogs, specially Obedience, that will be preferred in the selection of inscriptions with dogs.

For more information please check http://www.doggyclube.com/seminario_obedience.htm

Dog Show Vila Franca de Xira 2009

Good to see old friends ... thanks !!

Angel - C.A.C., C.A.C.I.B. and Best of Breed
Teco - 1º Exe
Cookie - 1º Junior

To see more results of other dog shows go to www.casacalado.com

Dogs Love

I found this text in one of my Internet research (I don’t know who is the author) and it is so well written that I had to share with all of you and I hope you can also love it.

"When I need to love, my dog is faithfully there.
In the sweetest way, dogs show us how much they care.

They inspire us to play, to go for walks or a run,
A dog's love is comforting and makes life more fun.

They're willing love objects at any time of day.
And somehow my dog understands what I say.

From a dog’s warm welcome, true love is understood.
Their eyes reveal honesty; their heart is pure and good.

Great genius made the wagging tail, the 'happy' indicator,
Seeing a dog's tail wag, my own happiness grows greater!

A dog's Love offers a calming, therapeutic feeling,
Petting a dog's coat has a wonderful way of healing.

A dog's love truly feels as though it comes from a higher place
than the oftentimes self-serving love shown by the human race.

This interspecies relationship helps my soul to grow.
My Love should be more Dog-like; I am only human, though.
"

Hotel for Dogs - the movie

This weekend I had the chance to watch the movie Hotel for Dogs and what a lovely experience that was.

I almost wish that the movie desire of better treatment for abandon dogs could become true.

Definitely a movie I recommend for all dog lovers and of course parents with children that will enjoy this peaceful movie.

Swimming with dogs

Two videos that will bring to you the desire to go swimming ... far ... far away from this crazy pack.

But no doubt that it was a well spent afternoon with this enthusiastic swimmers !!!

Happy Birthday Teco !

Happy Birthday Teco !

Freestyle - dancing with dogs

Today I present to you a dream that everyone that works with dogs hopes to achieve.

The sharing, joy and interaction of this handler-dog team is to envy and even I have seen this movie several times, still brings me a dream of what one day I wish to achieve with my dog.


"Canine Freestyle is a dog sport in which training, teamwork, music, and movement combine to create an artistic, choreographed performance highlighting the canine partner in a manner that celebrates the unique qualities of each individual dog. It is built upon the foundation of a positive working relationship between a dog and handler team." - Definition of the Musical Dog Sport Association

Australian Shepherd herding photos

Once again I bring to you amazing herding photos taken from Punchline Aussies in their wonderful farm.

You really can see the joy of this lucky Australian Shepherd dogs doing what they do best.

Photos released by Punchline Aussies

Crufts 2009 and BBC

Well, today I read that BBC will not transmit this year the notorius event of Crufts ( you can see here the news http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/12_december/12/crufts.shtml)

Consider by many a event to big as the world dog show, it is a pity that has be banned and unconsidered by the notorious BBC network.

In spite of I always being complained by some point of the dog show organization, having a notorious lack of interested by the animal health and lack of sociability of some animals, that doesn’t mean that isn’t so sad such amazing event just be put aside.

Yes, maybe this will be the push to change mentalities and the way some breeds are seen when taken to dog shows and yes maybe people minds will change and not only the physical, but also the character, health and work components will become requirements to the main title.

Personaly, I am blessed by balanced healthy social dogs and I try to keep their social and work component, and I don’t see why the some shouldn’t be asked to the other breeders.

I also cannot understand why the so call “veterinarian inspection” in a dog show, beside checking vaccines and chip, don’t check the heart, breading, eyes, hears, temperature, like our one vets do in a checkup.

What I can say is that the BBC story, despite of pointing the finger to certain breeds and their prejudicial selection just because of looks, this story also brought to all of us breeders a curtain of undemanding the work we do.

And like there is breeders that don’t act in the proper way and should be punish, there are also the ones that fight to give a better quality of live to their dogs, perform health exams before breeding and give all possible conditions to a new coming litter, and this one’s deserve respect and consideration.

Time for photos of our Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriver

In the middle of the rain and win, I went to take photos with Australian Shepherd, Cookie, and Golden Retriever Brad and our puppy, Bianca, daughter of Bri

I hope you like it ...

Brad

Bianca

Cookie