March Sheep Herding Class With Youngster Rook

My youngest "Crew" member "Rook" was out for another herding session on sheep. Our instructor

Louanne Twa  is located south of Calgary in the Okotocks at Phantom Ridge - she has a beautiful farm and great sheep to work for a youngster in training. Today, we worked again on pace and widening Rook's distance. He also decided to slip out of his collar and long training lead as soon as he entered the training pen. The good news was that he was more respectful of the stock and realized that he did not have to grip to bring back a stray. However - he did do one shoulder bump on one ewe:-) I did enjoy seeing his progression on widening his distance from the sheep when moving them. He was one tired pup after the session - We now just have to keep up his exposure and practise!

Below are some pics of today's class. Special thanks to my friend Donna for the photo shoot! She had her Border collies out for their lessons - you can see her BCs at work on her blog at:  http://blackthornworkingdogs.blogspot.ca/2012/03/ben-come-bye-kid-and-his-mama-jet-doing.html

 We could not have asked for better weather!

A nice calm pace - and yes, it was warm enough to take off my coat!

better distance and control

getting a little wider

A steadier pace and wider distance

Louanne working with Rook - a more wider distance - good boy!

nice distance, steady and focussed

"That'll do" Rook until next class 

To view "Rook's" February class visit his blog post at: http://albertacanaandogcrew.blogspot.ca/2012/02/sheep-herding-with-youngster-rook.html

Is the Canaan Dog facing extinction?

A young Springtime "Maccabee"

The Ancient Biblical Dog of Israel

It is with sadness to read the news that the "Canaan Dog", also known as "Kelev K'naani", may be in fear of fading “into history”. This breed is already very rare in numbers, and those that have been fortunate to have one of these extraordinary dogs in their lives may now be facing a reality that we hope does not come to pass.

Here is a link to an article of interest for owners and supporters of the breed, and those that are researching about the ancient “biblical dog” that still inhabits the Negev desert, but is becoming even smaller in numbers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/in-israel-a-battle-to-save-the-ancient-canaan-dog/2012/03/21/gIQA1IQEfS_story.html

Our Maccabee keeps watch over the herd as the sun sets

Some Interesting facts about the breed

Canaan Dogs are “un-manufactured” by man. They have natural dog characteristics that have allowed them to survive for over 4,000 years. The Canaan Dog has a rich and unique history. Unlike such breeds as the Golden Retriever or the Wheaton Terrier the Canaan Dog was not bred for a specific job. They evolved in the wilderness and developed their characteristics and instincts over 4000 years - which includes their sharp eyes, their acute hearing, and their keen sense of smell - and most importantly, their strong desire for self-preservation as key to their survival .They have worked with Man as guardian animals for villages and flocks. After the Roman conquest of Israel they drifted back to the Sinai desert to live. Occasionally they would be caught and used as protection for Bedouin tribes. But a true effort to domesticate them didn’t happen until the 1930s when the Menzels emigrated to Palestine. Their programme was so successful that the Canaan Dog became a working dog for the Haganah and later the IDF (Israel Defense Force). And despite this unique path that has brought them to become companion animals they are at heart dogs.

"Maccabee" my "Muse"

"Macc" watching over the herd

Here are a few links to read more about the history and traits of the Canaan Dog:

http://sufatsheleg.jimdo.com/the-menzels/

http://sufatsheleg.jimdo.com/canaan-dog-traits/

And a link to a great educational video about the breed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF8xl9FVvow

I can not imagine a better breed for me! My desert crew continues to fill my life with companionship, adventure, and fulfills a role in a working capacity. I know that this post will resonate with those who cherish and work with their breed of choice. Below are just a few favourite pics of my crew doing what comes naturally!

Me and two of my Canaan Crew members "Cybelle" & "Maccabee" after  some cattle ranch chores.

"Ash" watching over her land during a windy July storm

Miss "Ash" after a stormy day on her land but continues to stay poised in the classic "regal and alert" position common to Canaan Dogs when in the watchdog mode. No wonder these guys were used as sentries guarding the camps back in their homeland. 

Master "Macc" in his sentry pose  - he always wanted to keep watch over the land even when the sun started to set

Youngster "Rook" learning to drive free-ranging cattle to their next rotational graze zone in a respectful manner with crew member "Ash" as backup.

Some of the crew working cattle chores from spring to fall on the range

Crew members young "Rook" & Miss "Ash" watching over their kingdom on a summer day

"Ash" X Macc 2010 litter - Ash with her four beautiful babes "Tempest, Ziva, Jasper and Cammie 

Miss Ash at home watching over her range

We hope that this remarkable breed "never fades from history", so on a more positive note, please visit our  news about “Tracking” with the crew. 

Marching Along With Ash (& friends) At “Tracking” Class

The Canaan Dog is an extremely intelligent breed who needs to be mentally challenged. "Tracking" is one sport where they can put their natural instincts to work. "Whenever I say "let's go tracking" Ash is ready and able with "nose to the ground." No wonder this primitive breed was used for Land Mine Detection and Red Cross Messenger Work in their native land Israel - it's in their blood! I suppose they could be called the "bloodhounds of Israel":-) Ash continues to enjoy her tracking classes! 

Miss "Ash" deep in thought before driving out to class. She likes to mentally prepare for her day of Tracking.  She takes her work seriously.

On Saturday, March 24 our tracking class was held at Crossroads Church in Red Deer .Our instructor, Donna Brinkworth likes to expose us to different locations so the dogs can learn to track in a variety of areas. In February, we tracked at Red Deer College – you can view that session on the blog at: http://albertacanaandogcrew.blogspot.ca/2012/02/tracking-along-with-ash-february.html

Saturday's lesson focussed on strengthening the endurance on longer tracks and following the scent of a stranger in a field setting. And, yes we are still tracking in snowy conditions out here! Ash has a lot of experience tracking in the powder. 

The first video below is of Ash working hard on her second track of the day. Special thanks to Lynn Walker for taking the footage of my girl! Lynn also handed me her video camera so I could include videos of Lynn's golden "Quila", and Lorrie working her German Shepherd "Zeevah". All of the dogs worked smoothly and thoughtfully as they picked up on the scent of the stranger that laid the track. They also worked hard with nose to ground in every footstep ( I love this technique!) to locate and indicate the lost article at the end. We all learn so much from watching each other work our dogs.

We are all looking forward to the mock trial in April! You can visit details about that here on the Crew's blog at: http://albertacanaandogcrew.blogspot.ca/2012/03/marching-on-preparing-toward-mock.html

As always, we all enjoy working and fostering the natural instincts with our breed, the camaraderie of the group classes, and the fabulous instruction from Donna!

Michelle (yes, that's me) with my Canaan Dog  girl "Ash"  - near the end of the track she wipes out on an icy patch but gets right back to work

Lynn with her Golden Retriever girl "Quila"

Lorrie with her German Shepherd girl  "Zeevah"

And at the end of day, when Ash and I came home, we were greeted to a fanfare of beautiful cloud formations that congregated over the range.

Marching On: Preparing Toward Mock Tracking Trial in April

"Tracking Along"

On April 14-15 "The Crew" will assist in hosting a tracking seminar and mock trial on our range in Raven. Our fabulous instructor Donna Brinkworth who is also a tracking judge, will be running the seminar and mock trial. 


For more details check out Donna's Tracking Coach blog at: http://yourtrackingcoach.blogspot.ca/2012/02/alberta-ckc-tracking-seminar-your-first.html

I thought it might be a good idea to show some snapshots of our field for those visiting our blog that are attending the seminar and mock trial so they can see the location. We still have snow out here but we are crossing our fingers in hopes that the meltdown continues! 

The following photos were taken last year on our quarter section.

"Ash" on our quarter section working tracks in high and low vegetation

"Ash" and Donna's BC "Ted" on the field under the moon

'Ash" on her land after a day of tracking out in the field

A panoramic view of our  land

More of the land -  with loyal Macc  who used to love watching over his kingdom

 I could not resist showing off more of our cloud
 formations

Miss Ash on her land after a day of tracking on a stormy day

And we are hoping our driveway looks more like this for the seminar and mock trial in April!

Master Rook on his "fresh and dry" driveway

Spring Fever with "The Crew"

Signs of "Spring" are coming our way out on the range. When I was chatting with my mom back in Ontario, she said her tulips were already in full bloom! 


Out in Raven, AB, here are the "Top 14" signs that "The Crew" takes notice of when spring is trying hard to shine our way. 

Sign Number 1: The scent of fresh "Spring" air - happy, shiny smiles are very important.

Sign Number 2: Detecting the presence of "green visitors" in your doggy pool.

Sign Number 3: When you can make friends with "Kermit" Spring is on its way!

Sign Number 4: Noticing that the dirt in the planter is no longer frozen.

Sign number 5: Being able to drink water from your pool in the morning that is thawed and no longer a huge ice cube.

Sign Number 6: Noticing the presence of your driveway.

Sign Number 7: Being alert to those pesky field mice slumbering in the leftover snow drifts

Sign Number 8: Getting the sense that more barbeques will be in the mix.

Sign Number 9: Checking the planter to ensure that the dirt is still thawed.

Sign Number 10: Your deck is no longer an iceberg and you can lounge by the pool!

Sign Number 11: You can practise the "art of dogma" outside

Sign Number 12: You can practise the perfect "Stop-Stand" on deck while watching over the land

Sign Number 13:  You can keep smiling while breathing in the fresh air even when you have a young brat on your back!

Sign Number 14: You get to end the day with an enchanting display of clouds.

A Saint Patrick's Day Canaan

Growing up in an Irish Catholic home we always celebrated St Pat's Day. My father's name was Patrick whom I lost last May. In loving memory of the most dearest daddy in the world, I wanted to share  a couple of pics from a few year's back of my "Crew Gal"  "Miss Cybelle" getting into the Irish spirit!

"Just call me Miss Shamrock"

"Do I see a leprechaun over there?"

"When do I get my pint of  Guinness?"

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

A beautiful sunset on our land  to celebrate the end of the day

As the sun sets, Master Rook  keeps watch over his land - I think he was hoping for a rainbow and a pot of gold too:-) 

As we watch the snow melt in the pasture, we look forward to rainbows along the way- a pic from last year With Our Rainbow Embracing Our Land