Owner/Handler Class

I have been watching a discussion on Facebook about  this class.  So many of these classes are being offered for the simple purpose of increasing entries.  I have no real issue in finding ways to increase entries but I think it needs to be a worthwhile class.  If it were up to me, we would not have Top Dog, either but that is a discussion for another day.   I can hear the readers clicking off my blog as I typed that. 

How can owner/handler class be defined?  Is it for all owner/handlers?  That would include Professional Handlers that also own their dog and show it.  I can think of many Professional Handlers that have breeding programs and show their own dogs.  Is it for newbies, amateurs, or  those that  picked up a puppy and a lead and showed up?   Is it a source of pride for those that have never had a professional on their dogs and it's a way to make a statement?  Was it designed to stop all the whining about Professional Handlers always winning against Owner/Handlers? 

 

Well what's the point of this class?  To me there is NO POINT!  We have well established classes that serve the same purpose.   I will list them here:

·         Baby Puppy

·         Junior Puppy

·         Senior Puppy

·         Open Class

·         Bred By

·         Specials

·         Veterans

·         and for fun and in my opinion a good test of temperament and movement:  Brace

Conformation doesn't need a class that makes Owner/Handlers look like second class citizens.  Owner/Handlers are 95% of the entries.  Owner/Handlers need to do their work, stop whining and have pride.

Owner/Handlers need to be sure they are doing the following things:

·         Bring your best at their best to show (bathed, groomed, trained)

·         Make sure you have made yourself an expert on your breed's standard, structure,  and movement (read, ask questions, spend time talking with successful breeders)

·         Take handling classes and perfect your techniques

·         Watch the pros.  Learn their handling style.  What are they doing that you can learn from.   When do they arrive to the ring.  What are they doing in the ring.  Are they keeping their dogs relaxed and enjoying the experience.  Are they relaxed.

·         Many  Owner/Handlers work full-time jobs that helps to support their dog showing, but you can't be a slacker when it comes to training your dog for the ring or yourself for handling.  That can't be an excuse on why you aren't winning.  No one is holding a gun to your head making you show your dog, so it's your choice on how prepared and polished you and your dog are.  If you want to compete, you must be competitive!

·         Dress for success in the ring.  If you show up with a  short tight skirt, low cut top, frayed jacket or clothes you would do yard work in, don't expect to be taken seriously.  You should be dressed comfortably, but in neat, pressed, and well fitted clothes.  Your shoes should be appropriate for walking briskly or running around the ring.  Why do I constantly see sandals in the ring?  How are sandals sturdy enough for ring work?  Make sure your hair and nails are neat and clean.  Don't wear excessive jewelry that will jingle and jangle all around the ring and be a distraction. 

·         Remember that the judge has the responsibility to manage the ring time. A cheerful hello is appropriate.  But unless you are asked a question, keep conversation to a minimum.  And remember to give short, clear concise answers to questions and listen for your ring instructions and follow them.

·         Remember, it's not good enough to only have  an understanding of your breed, you should have some all around knowledge of what meets the standard in the other breeds in your group.  I have Standard Wirehair Dachshunds, but I should know if the Irish Wolfhound in the group ring with me is meeting that standard.  I should appreciate that if all things are equal, the judge's decision if they don't place me, I can be proud I competed against some of the best.

·         Good sportsmanship.  I see so little good sportsmanship, it is shocking.  The behaviour I have witnessed and the things I've overhead being said is ridiculous.  All the stomping off, jerking your dog's neck out of joint and cursing and swearing does nothing but make you look childish and undeserving.  You should take a loss with as much dignity that you would a win.  If you are so affected by a loss, you may never be a real winner.

·         Find a mentor if you are new.  Don't be afraid to ask for help and suggestions on how to improve.  Get help with grooming. 

·         Be a mentor.  We all know what a newbie looks like.  We have all been a newbie at some endeavor.   Extend a helping hand.  Offer a smile and an encouraging word.  Let them know they have found a friend among the crowd.

·         If you do most of these things, if you make a handling mistake in the ring occasionally, it will be forgiven.

I want to talk about Professional Handlers, now. 

Yes most have spent their entire lives in dogs, learning their trade, honing their skills.  Yes, due to the fact this is how they make their living, they are going to be seen more by judges at more shows and over many more years.  Some Professional Handlers started in Juniors when they were very young and they have come up through the ranks with many of the judges.  They have slept in their vans, made sure the dogs in their charge ate before them and many times better than them, and they have bathed in many a show venue bathroom, before they made it as a professional handler.  They could not walk into your place of work and perform your job without study, practice and instruction from more experienced persons. 

Lyle and I have taken other people's dogs with us to shows in the USA and shown them as a favour.   No offence to anyone we have done this for, but it's a pain to keep up with all those dogs, worried something may happen to them while in our care and worried we won't show them well and we will disappoint  their owner.  There is absolutely nothing glamorous about being a Professional Handler.  To me it seems like their day is never done.

My experience has been, if you walk up to a Professional and ask intelligent, sincere questions, they are more than willing to help you.  Professionals are more than willing to give you handling  advise, grooming advice and they will even watch ringside to see if they can detect ways you can improve.

 

I don't think Professional Handlers are the enemy.  I think it is narrow minded thinking that is the enemy.

Now to talk about judges!

Do judges sometimes reward a professional handler when their dog is perhaps not the best?  YES.  Is this the Professional Handler's doing? NO.  The judge is assigned to make a decision that day. Judges on the whole try to get it right.  I don't always agree with the judge's decision, but I paid my money and willingly showed up ready to show to the judge to get their opinion.  Sometimes, I think I see something glaringly incorrect on a dog and the judge still rewards it.  Ok, am I fault judging and not allowing myself to see other attributes that may outweigh what I think is a fault.  Many judges will tell you that handlers many times don't do their dog justice in the ring by the way we are handling.  We move our dogs too fast or too slow.  We are stringing them up or we are allowing them to move on a too loose lead and don't have enough control over their movement.  They think we show our own frustration and take it out in rough handling the dog.  Judges complain about baiting a dog on the table when they are trying to examine its mouth.  Who wants to look into a mouth full of bait?

I am a believer that many times, Judges are presented with such average exhibits that they question themselves when they see a really nice correct exhibit.  I also believe that just as the Professional Handler had to earn their stripes and pay their dues,  we Owner/Handlers must do the same.  Unless you walk in the ring with what would be considered a world renown, breathtaking specimen of the likes the world has never seen, you will have to present your dog well and earn your stripes.  Also, there are other well groomed, prepared Owner/Handlers you are competing that are showing dogs that are older, more experienced and are deserving of the win. 

If you don't appreciate a judge's decisions or you think the judge is a complete moron, put them on your "Don't show" list.  It's your money and money talks and if that judge consistently does not get the entries they will get the idea.  If you decide to discuss with your friends or other exhibitors why the judge was wrong in their decision, you better be prepared to know what you are talking about and to be challenged.  You should be capable of stating clearly and correctly what was wrong with the winning dog(s).   You may be talking to a group that is nodding  and saying to your face that you are right, but unless you can demonstrate why you are right, they will not have much respect for you or your opinion.  Contrary to what you want to accomplish, you will just be considered a whiner.

 If a group of people stop you on your way out of the ring, saying you were robbed the win by bad judging.  You should be able to recognize those that really are ringside whiners and those that can really explain to you and be correct why they are right in their assessment.   There is a lot of fanny kissing and alliance building in this sport that if the same energy were to be spent becoming a real expert,  I bet everyone would find more enjoyment.

What I think helps you be a better exhibitor:

Patience, education, determination, thick skin and a charitable spirit will take you further in this sport than whining, gossiping  and bullying.

Now an Announcement

I have been working on a Canadian Owner/Handler Association for about a year.  We are in the process of getting ready to take our association to the CKC for their endorsement.

 I want to make this crystal clear......this association is not designed to be a bitch group, bashing Professional Handlers.  It is designed to offer educational seminars to Owner/Handlers in all things dogs.  It is meant to give a voice to Owner/Handlers with CKC since we are the majority.  This association is not meant to be a clearing house to mediate everyone's personal grudges, arguments or showing issues.  I am certain since there is a Canadian Professional Handlers Association, that the CKC will find value in our group. 

We need to offer some guidelines and code of ethics for the majority of exhibitors, which are the Owner/Handlers.  This is a national association and we plan to offer the latest in technology to make attending meetings, voting and having a voice as easy and convenient as possible. 

 If you are interested in being a member of this group, please email me your name, phone number, address and email address.  Remember as in all things to be successful, it will require you to offer your talents and time to the group by serving as a officer, board member, committee member or member in good standing.  I hope to hear from each of you requesting a membership application.  Email be at:  djenkins@shaw.ca

Reproductive Veterinary Service in Hamilton, Ontario Area

I am using a great young vet in Hamilton that I like a lot.  I have really put him through his paces and Lyle and I attended Cara's C-section and assisted with newborns.  He is very knowledgeable in canine reproduction and currently can do everything except freeze and store semen.  He has an interest in adding this to his practice, but it's very expensive to get started.  He would like to know if there is an interest in that type of service in the Hamilton, Ontario area. 

If you would like to have this type service available, please email me and let me know your thoughts.

djenkins@shaw.ca

The Canadian Dog Fancier Magazine is now offering  Dog Fanciers another excellent product.  It's weekly summary of dog shows is a budget friendly way to get your advertising out there without sacrificing quality of artwork or audience.  The ad prices are unbelievable.  It's a great way to supplement  your magazine advertising.  You get the same great service as you get from the magazine.  Plus it's a great way to keep up with who's who in the winning world of Canadian Dog Shows.

I'm sure Angel Wagner would be happy if you contacted her about finding you a great spot in the upcoming summary!  Contact Angel Wagner at  angel@canadiandogfancier.com

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

XXXOOO

Welcome To My View

Your Level of Arrogance Does Not Match Your Lack of Skills

I have talked to many "Longtimers" in the dog fancy and they all pretty much say the same thing, they all had great mentors and learned from the bottom up.  They spent hours and hours working with those that could offer them instruction and experience.  They were for the lack of  a better term, "the bucket bitches" for others in order to learn. 

I have a mentor that I also consider my best friend.  I know many such relationships in the dog fancy.  I have learned from her, worked beside her, and I am so grateful to her that I would stoop and kiss the hem of

her garment.  She has my undying loyalty and admiration.  I know many of you feel the same way about the person that took you under  their wing and gave you the benefit of their experience and knowledge.  So much of their knowledge you cannot find written down anywhere.  You can call them in the middle of the night with an emergency and they are always there for you.  They are standing ringside to offer you constructive criticism and praise when you are finished.  Your mentor is the person that promoted you in the breed and dog fancy and introduced you to those other "Longtimers" that could also offer words of wisdom and little snippets of advice that money could never buy.

Unfortunately, there are those that believe that they can achieve a high level of success with little to no learning and without gaining any real hands-on experience.  These people have not learned that success and respect are earned not bestowed.  I am two and maybe three generations beyond this new "entitled" generation.  But, my best advice is if you believe that the dog fancy is all about you and your personal success and not about learning as much as you can about your breed, apprenticing and learning from the bottom up, doing your fair share of poop scooping, dog bathing, watching more mature and experienced handlers in the ring and showing respect to those that have come before you, then you are in the wrong sport.  This sport is about promoting your breed, learning pedigrees, understanding structure and movement.  What it isn't..... is about how great your look for five minutes in the ring.  It is not about how many Rosettes you can win.  It's about nutrition, grooming, training, breeding.  It's about understanding the whole package.  If you want to make a name for yourself, do it by being the best overall dog person you can be.  Be known for breeding the best.  Be known for always being a student of dogs. Be known for always wanting to expand your knowledge.

Being a member of the dog fancy isn't about just showing up on show day with a dog and prancing them around the ring.  It's about the books you are reading, the questions that you ask about how your breed has evolved and wanting to learn how you can make a difference maintaining the breed standard and promoting the breed. It's about understanding what your dog's needs are nutritionally as they grow and mature.  It's about understanding what is the proper exercise for them at each stage of life.  It's about understanding the health issues that your breed suffers and what's being done to eliminate those issues.  If you don't have this interest, you are not a serious dog fancier.  

Respect for those that offer to teach, mentor or spend an hour giving you instruction on proper movement.  Respect is certainly in short supply these days.  Respect above all else should be given in a meaningful way in order for you to earn respect in the dog fancy.

I hope everyone has had a chance to go to CanuckDogs.com to see the new layout design.  It is fabulous.  All the same great information, but in a nicer, more up-to-date format.  CanuckDogs is a free service that is provided strictly by volunteers.  All advertising dollars go straight into keeping the website running and free.  

I am sorry that I haven't been writing weekly, but our family is taking care of Zachary who has just started an arduous stem cell transplant.  I am spending a lot of time taking care of Zachary and going back and forth to Juravinski  Hospital.  Please keep our family and especially Zachary in your prayers that the stem cell transplant is the much needed cure for his cancer.

Welcome To My View

Education Education Education .....There Can’t Be Too Much Education

I attended the Judges’ Hound Seminar organized by the Oakville & District Kennel Club.  It was two full days of presentations by breeders of Irish Wolfhounds, Whippets, Scottish Deerhounds, Black & Tan

Coonhounds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Bassett Hounds, Afghan Hounds and Blood Hounds.  I had never been to a judges’ breed seminar before.  Now that I have experienced it, I will want to attend as many as I can.

First, I was very impressed with the Oakville and District Kennel Club that organized this event.  They did a great job with the venue, had beautiful handouts in a binder about each breed and also provided all the presenters’ programs on a CD to review again at home.

Second, it was interesting to see who showed up to the seminar.  I have a lot of respect for the judges that attended.  It proved to me that they truly are interested in understanding

the breeds and to make judging fair across the group.  The judges asked pertinent questions and genuinely seemed interested in understanding each breed presented.  There were a few owner handlers there, but not near enough.  These seminars are for anyone interested in learning about the other breeds.

Third, we compete in the Hound Group and I want to know about the breeds I regularly compete with.  How can I complain if I don’t know a good wolfhound or whippet?  I hate hearing people leaving the ring putting down another breed that won, when they can’t explain accurately why that dog wasn't worthy of the placement.  I encourage owner handlers to take advantage of this kind of educational opportunities.  It’s not enough to just know your

breed’s standard, you need to at least understand your group.  I really don’t think anyone can complain about a loss or tout a judge’s decision to award you the win if you don’t understand why it is happening.

Fourth but not the least, thanks to Pierry McLean for providing Royal Canin’s facility for the seminar, to Barbara Heal for taking great pictures, to all the presenters for sharing information about their breeds and again to the Oakville and District Kennel Club for providing a wonderful experience and a delicious lunch on each day and making the atmosphere very welcoming.

 Mixed Breeds Allowed at Westminster Agility Competition

Roo, "All American" Mix Breed competing at Westminster Agility 2014

I have been mulling this over for several weeks since I returned from Westminster.  I have seriously tried to weigh all information to make a final decision on my opinion about mixed breeds participating at the grandest Dog Show in the USA.

I don’t like it!  I don’t agree with it!  I hope it never happens again!

In my opinion the inclusion of mixed breeds at Westminster is a fissure that will get bigger and bigger unless the dog fancy steps up to make it clear that it is unacceptable.  When the dog fancy allows mixed breeds to compete in agility, the conformation of the dogs may not be well suited for the various obstacles and could cause pain and injury to the dogs.  How educated or informed are the mixed breed owners to conformation, structure and movement?  With so little information given at adoption, only a real dog fancier would see poor shoulder placement and lack of reach, etc, etc, etc.

True dog fanciers spend an outrageous amount of money, time and personal sacrifice to perpetuate the breed standards, healthy dogs and to research and find methods to eliminate genetic faults or disease.  How is this wrong? Why should we allow ourselves to be considered some kind of second class dog citizen? 

I say that the Prestigious Westminster Kennel Club allowing mix breeds to participate in the same forum as pure breeds, we have given the public and all our dog fancy opponents the message that we are willing to admit that we have been wrong, elitist snobs and we are now willing to recognize the error of our ways and welcome mix breeds as our equals. 

With comments like the one below, we will be hard pressed to combat puppy mills and pet store dog sales.

Here is an excerpt from CBS NY newscast:

Nicole Bozich of Southern Pines, N.C., recalls being petrified by dogs before her husband persuaded her to get Audie, a probably-pug-terrier mix that a pet store was selling for $20. Obedience classes evolved into agility training and, eventually, into a spot in Saturday’s contest.

“If you told me five years ago that I’d be at Westminster showing a dog,” Bozich said, “I wouldn’t believe you.” 

Congratulations to Colton O’Shea on winning the World Junior Handling Champion at the Crufts 2014 International Junior Handling Competition in Birmingham, England on March 8, 2014.  

Colton is a Nova Scotia native and qualified to compete at Crufts by becoming the Canadian National Junior Handling Conformation Champion 2013. 

Congratulations also to Colton's family, his mentors and the CKC Junior Handler's Program that helped to nurture him.

Colton has made Canada very proud and we wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.

Remember to go to www.canuckdogs.com for all the latest Canadian Dog Event Schedules, updates and results.  Canuck Dogs is a 100% volunteer service headed by Sue Coghlan.  Remember to contact Sue early about your 2014 advertising campaign.  

  

Welcome To My View

2014 Dog Fancy Has Started

We have our first Canadian shows behind us and Westminster has crowned its 2014 winner, so we are getting back into the swing of making our entries, bathing dogs, making hotel reservations and packing the vans.  I am looking forward to seeing all my peeps and meeting new folks at the shows.  This year, we are getting involved in Field Trials.  We can’t wait to test our boy, Chase, in the fields.  We are breeding our first litter of standard wirehaired dachshunds under our Kennel name, Sweetwires Dachshunds.  We will spend this year focusing on, Dillon Conod, our fabulous junior handler and his wonder dog, Cooper!  It’s so exciting to see this young man and his dog grow in knowledge and skills. 

I invite all of you to be an active part of this blog.  It is meant to be fun, informative and insightful.  Please send your stories, or write an article for the blog.  Send me your club announcements.  Remember to send in your “Spotlight” suggestions for those people in your area you catch doing nice things for others.  Make 2014 the best year ever by bringing your best out to compete, remember to use good manners and be a good sport no matter.  You never know who you are influencing.

Our Best Friends, Our Workmates, Our Heroes

Researchers have spent years and countless dollars trying to understand the relationship between man and dogs.  Researchers have figured out that dogs will carry their human's gaze off into the distance.  They have spent countless hours in a lab discovering that dogs have a sympathetic yawn reflex with their people.  Dogs have demonstrated they can identify hundreds

Anubis as a baby with broken leg

of items from verbal commands and can understand hundreds of spoken words.  Is it any wonder that dogs are also our heroes?

Lynda McFadden of Jalynn Kennels recently had a unique experience, when her Newfoundland puppy proved to be a hero to a little girl in the neighborhood. 

Anubis saved a little girl from being abducted by a sex offender in front of Lynda's house several weeks back.  The man grabbed an eight year old girl. He had rope and was dragging her to his car in the snow. Anubis, the Newfoundland puppy,  noticed the behavior and the young girl credits him with saving her. He barked and drew a lot of attention to the situation and scared the man away. She told her parents and the police what happened.  The police went to Lynda's house to let them know what a brave thing Anubis did. 

According to Lynda, Anubis was in his pen playing in the snow and they were all in the house and had no idea what was happening. Fortunately, the McFaddens had  installed a video surveillance system recently and taped the entire incident. They were able to give a  description of the man and  the car he was driving!!!  That was a good start for the police to locate the man.

Anubis did what comes naturally to our canine companions.They want to protect their home and family. He realized a little girl, that he didn't even know, was in trouble and he saved her from untold danger.  Lynda, explained to me that Anubis has been special from a small puppy.  He broke his leg in a freak accident and Lynda spent weeks being his litter mate.  Lynda

transformed her living room into sleeping quarters for Anubis and herself.  She slept on a mattress on the floor and she spent countless hours playing with him.  When the other litter puppies were outside running, Lynda would  take him on the other side of the fence so he could run and play at his own pace with his leg in a cast without being tripped by the other raucous puppies. 

Lynda says that Anubis will likely be a service dog.  This will be the second service dog placed by Jalynn Kennels.  Newfoundlands are not just great water rescuers, they have untapped abilities to understand and respond to humans.  Some, like Anubis, are even HEROES!

Are You Kidding Me??

Why in this world do we need 56 options to describe our gender on Facebook?  I consider myself to be a fairly liberal thinker.  I have many friends that are gay and lesbian.  I am a firm believer and would fight for equal rights for all people, regardless of race, religion, nationality or sexual preference.  Why can't people just be people?  Why is there this need for labels?

In my humble opinion, its the labels that create problems.  It makes the whole issue of gender too complex and when things get complicated, people stop trying to understand.  Whatever happened to the KISS philosophy?  KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!   If gender identification is this

complex then what is next?  Are we no longer married, single, divorced or widowed? Perhaps, we need several hundred labels to describe more fully our individual circumstance.  I'm not just married.  I am agender-married to a cis-male in an intersex non-binary free spirit marriage.  

We are just people all wanting the same thing. Understanding, inclusion, fairness, equality, love and family.   Drop all the labels and let's just be Non-discriminatory, Open-minded human beings.

Welcome To My View

I don't know about you folks, but I'm so happy to move on to 2014.  We had some great moments in 2013 and we had some really crappy moments. Can GCh/Am Ch Daybreak's Design Inspiration, Cara, gave us a very exciting year.  She came into her own and proved that she loved the ring and the applause.  Cara, is Canada's  #1 Owner/Handled Standard Wirehair Dachshund in 2013, #2 in Canada overall and #1 in Ontario. 

Lyle and I learned so much in 2013.  Our skills improved. We learned a lot about advertising and ad design.  We got so much help from so many wonderful people.  We made so many lovely friends.  Lyle and I loved every minute.  

Lyle and I want to thank all the people that helped us along the way during 2013.  It really did take a lot of assistance, help, support and advice.  I hope that we proved to be good stewards of your time and help by listening, implementing the advice and being gracious and thankful.  For fear of forgetting someone that deserves a mention, I won't try to list the names here.  I hope we showed our deep gratitude all during the year.

Dillon Conod, our wonderful Junior Handler, also had a great year.  He got to meet the best in our breed, Dachshunds and he has a large following all over the world. Here are just a few pictures of memorable moments of 2013.

Dillon's very first time in the ring with Marg Brown as his judge.  Dillon has a very special place for Ms Brown.  He will never forget his first time showing or Ms. Brown.

Dillon at the Dachshund Club of America show in St. Louis, Mo at Purina Farms.  He showed his own dog, Ex Sentia Duece Coupe.  Cooper ribboned 4 days out of 4.  Dillon proved he has natural handling abilities at DCA.

Dillon got the opportunity to handle many different breeds during 2013 including the beautiful Great Dane puppy his Aunt, Donna Conod, Whispering Hill, bred.

Some of the other breeds were Shar Pei, Deerhound, Fox Terrier, Pekineses, Bassett Hound, Rhodesian Ridgeback,  Bernese Mountain Dog, Mini Smooth Dachshund and Mini Long Dachshund.

To top off the year, Dillon put a group 4 and finished his dog, Ex Sentia Deuce Coupe at the last show of the year, Elora Gorge.  

Dillon also won his 9th Best Overall Junior at the Elora Gorge show.  

Lyle and I are so proud of him.

The Jenkins Team would like to extend a huge 

CONGRATULATIONS

Can Ch Cahladen's Perfect Ten

"Tenasen"

and her Breeder/Owner

                    Lisa Maki

            2013 Canada's # 1 Standard Wirehair Dachshund

Lyle and I are so honored to be in Lisa Maki's company. Lisa

and her team conducted themselves as fair and worthy competitors. We are enriched by her example, friendship and share in her love of the breed.   Way to go Lisa and Tenasen! We share in your excitement for this great achievement.  

I believe in Corporate Sponsorship working with their community, getting involved in non-profits to benefit their consumers.  I have been a fairly successful fundraiser and I have worked close with Corporate sponsors to donate to the Catholic School Board, Sports Teams, Women's Crisis Centres and Local Vegetable garden projects.

I know that Lance Novak, Executive Director, of CKC agrees with me about the need for Corporate Sponsors to help finance activities within our sport.  I have a particular interest in the Canadian Junior Kennel Club, Junior Handlers Program.  I believe there are Corporate Sponsors that need to be tapped to help fiance new and improved programs for the Juniors.

There has to be an incentive for the company to want to participate.  We must be able to show that our membership is a patron of their business or closely related to their business.  It helps when the companies that we approach have an interest in dogs.  

I bet you would be surprised at how many companies allow their employees to bring their dogs to work.  Companies have figured out that allowing their employees to bring their dog to work actually reduces stress, gives their employees a reason to take breaks because they must exercise and feed their dogs.  It has been proven that employees that are allowed to bring their dogs to work are more willing to work overtime, since they don't have to rush home to take care of their dog.  It has also been proved that people that bring their dogs to work trust their fellow workers that also have dogs and it makes for better teamwork.  

Doesn't it make sense, we should start approaching these companies to join us at the CKC to preserve our sport and the pure blood lines of our breeds.  It makes sense that they would find it of value to support young people in the dog fancy.  The same young people could be the corporate leaders of tomorrow.

Here is a list of well known Corporations that allow dogs at work:

Replacements, LTD - Did you just break a plate from Grandma's beloved antique china set? If so, Replacements, Ltd. may be able to save the day. The company is the go-to place to find a missing piece of fine china, crystal or silver. One would think that china and dogs wouldn't be a good mix, but Replacements, Ltd. has been a dog-friendly workplace for years. 

Google - Google's dog policy provides employees with a basic set of guidelines including cleaning up after the dog makes and being mindful of allergic co-workers.

Proctor & Gamble - Iams and Eukanuba are 

just two of the many brands under the Procter & Gamble label. Employees of P&G's Pet Care division in the Cincinnati area are welcome to bring their dogs to work every day, not just on Take Your Dog To Work Day. The company even has a V.P. of Canine Communications, Euka (pictured right). Euka, a cross between a Labrador retriever and a Bernese mountain dog, will be retiring next year after eight years of service. P&G Pet Care recently announced that Pawl Griffin (left), a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, is already in training to jump into the V.P. role.

Ben & Jerry's - If you're also a dog lover, Ben & Jerry's could be the ideal place to work because you can bring your pooch to the office. 

Autodesk - Autodesk employees are offered a generous benefits package including a six-week paid sabbatical every four years, paid time off between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, discounts on a variety of group insurance options and, of course, the option of bringing their dogs to work. About 5 percent of the company's nearly 7,000 employees take advantage of this benefit.

Build-A-Bear-Workshop - The company's love of animals goes beyond the stuffed kind, however. Employees at the World Headquarters  can bring their dogs to work. The company even has a chief executive dog, Milford, who celebrates his birthday every year by throwing a grand party for the other company dogs. Build-A-Bear Workshop's dog-friendly workplace policy is just one reason the company has been named one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For three years in a row.

Amazon - Internet retail giant Amazon is also a dog-friendly workplace. Visitors to the company's corporate headquarters in Seattle can expect to find between two and three dozen dogs on any given day.

Here are Canadian Companies that allow dogs in the office:

Reports to: Brett Wilson, chairman, Prairie Merchant Corp.  “Every day that I’m in the office, Cash is here, even if I come in on the weekend,” says Wilson. “He’s the one person in the office that will listen to me.”

MIKA

Reports to: Ryan Holmes, CEO, HootSuite Media Inc.

“When you work long hours, the office can feel like your second home,” says Holmes. “I encourage my employees to embrace it. My dog, Mika, is such a big part of my home life, so my office wouldn’t feel like home without her.”

LEBOWSKI

Reports to: Robbie Eddison, supervisor, Softchoice Corp.

“There’s something about him that embodies our corporate culture,” says Eddison. “We’re a technology company, but we’re unique, fun and different—and that’s what he is.

PENNY

Reports to: Connie Wilson, Editor, Modern Dog

“Penny helps me unwind by reminding me it’s time for a treat, a walk or a tummy rub,” says Wilson. “Her timing is impeccable, making me take a break when I seem to need it most.”

LAILA

Reports to: Shmuel Farhi, president, Farhi Holdings Corp.

“For the past 20 years, I’ve had dogs working with me. I cannot see doing what I do without Laila here,” says Farhi, who refers to Laila as the chairdog of the board. “She gives two woofs for yes and one woof for no.”

DIGBY

Reports to: Frank Bassett, senior director, EA Canada

“It’s fun having dogs at work. It changes the mood in a room when there’s a pet involved,” says Bassett. “He knows where the treats are and where to go for pee breaks. He could probably find my office without me.”

A dog's life at the office!

For many years, Mars Canada Head Office has opened its doors for associates to bring their dogs to work.  Introducing dogs into the workplace plays an important role in bringing to life the values of Petcare.  The dogs offer a sense of comfort,help relieve stress and in some cases, even improve productivity.

I believe that the Solution for CKC and the Dog Fancy Success hinges on the Corporations we can attract as partners.

Christina Heard, Summerford Newfoundlands, photo bombed Donna Conod, Whisper Hill, and Donna Jenkins.  Christina should give lessons to most of us on how to be fun, supportive and all around nice person!  This photo also proves white women can jump!  lol

Happiest of 2014!  Make it a Great Year!

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

XXXOOO