Life with Ruby is a joyful adventure! On April 6, 2010 this little bundle of joy was born. The breeder knew I wanted a red Doberman. I had first pick of the litter. When I first saw a picture of the litter I knew right away but the breeder made me wait to meet them. Six weeks later I walked in the door and out of the four reds, I picked Ruby right up. Three weeks later she came home, wrapping me around her little paws ever since. Who knew this little, fat, chubby puppy would turn into one of the best things in my life.

Ruby’s registered name is "Ruby Lady of Racin Storm" - big name to live up to. She sure can live up to the “Racin Storm” part of her name. I knew we would need outlets for all that energy. We started our adventure with puppy class at MDTC; in fact, we went through two puppy sessions. Ruby didn't like the puppy play. She would hide behind the flyball mats. During puppy class they brought out a few pieces of agility equipment. This is where Ruby had the best time: that little stinker would even do the chute. Next we moved onto obedience class; and thus the challenge began. This is where I found out that Ruby can be very head strong. Getting this “Racin Storm” to do a down was almost impossible. To this day she still has trouble with any exercise that insists she be still. Her best exercise was the stand; she can manage to stand still, just not sit or down. It took us four to five times to get out of beginner obedience class. Sue, Mark and Rick were all saints to put up with us. Then one day it was like a light bulb when on and she figured out what I wanted……but she still likes to do things her own way.

Next we tried out for flyball and made the cut. Ruby enjoys flyball and has learned a lot over the past year. And hopefully some day she will learn to be an actual team player. Personally, I wish she would learn to slow down when returning the ball to me. Having this “Racin Storm” fly at me, at what looks like 100 miles an hour, would scare the life out of anyone! I can only image what it is like for the person on the other side of the box. When she is running at me full speed I think of bowling; I am the pin and she is the ball coming to knock me down. She has knocked me down on more than one occasion. The bottom line is, we are both enjoying ourselves, making it all worth it. Karen, Mari and Sarah have also been saints to put up with us for this long.

Next I thought we would try agility; notice I said “try” agility. Ruby has her own style of agility. I call it "Ruby freestyle agility." On the agility course, you never know what to expect with Ruby. She could listen, or not! Over the past year she has improved so much. I’m still not sure if she is just a slow learner or is having too much fun to care. I was so proud of her at the last fun match. Taking fourth place in the weave pole challenge was a major feat for Ruby. Then to top it off, she earned a Q in tunnelers! So I know she can do it, just in her own time. Tracy keeps promising me that she will be great once she (we) put it all together. As usual in agility, part of the problem is me; I give the wrong directions at the wrong times. Ruby is too fast for my brain! I can't think as fast as she runs!!! After all being said and done, we keep trying and each week I see a little more improvement, even if no one else can see it. Everyone has been so great at helping Ruby and I. I know I am listening and learning. Now it's Ruby’s turn to listen and play by the rules!

Throughout all of this, Ruby always has a smile on her face. She is having the time of her life. I too am having the time of my life. Ruby has given me a great adventure so far. Without her I would never have met the wonderful people at MDTC. Everyone in the club has been so great to Ruby and I, making us feel welcome. 

Dawn Butler  

Two and a half years ago I approached Art's breeder with the following, “I am simply looking for a smart female to partner with my male GSD. I am a very responsible dog owner and have had dogs my entire life. I love the GSD for its intelligence and training ability.” Art's breeder had a female pup lined up for me but before I knew it, I had fallen in love with a different pup from the litter...Art. His breeder described him by saying, “This guy is just sweet. He is a sensitive little guy that goes with the flow and does not want to rattle anyone’s world. He is non-confrontational and is a very soft, very gentle, very pleasing spirit. We have dubbed him our little “elf.” He would be perfect for a family looking to do therapy work that does not need a protector.” I should have known by his name along with his description that I was about to embark upon a life changing experience but I was simply smitten with this little “elf.”

Art is exactly that... he is a piece of “art.” He is complex, smart, loving, cuddly, sweet and my masterpiece; he is also highly manipulative forcing me to be a better trainer. He has also given me the gift of seeing things differently due to his reactivity to other dogs. Art and I are so bonded that I truly feel he can read my mind...he certainly has me wrapped around his paws, knows how to pull my heart strings and “train me.”

I brought Art home when he was eight weeks old. The dynamics of my home quickly changed. The male dog I had was placed in a home that could better tend to his medical needs. Then Martha came into my life, also a GSD, and the polar opposite of Art. About a year ago I added Frankie, a Papillion mix. With that, our young home pack (all being between 2-2 ½ yrs old) was set. At home Art and the girls are a family. Art enjoys the company of the girls, but adores me above anything else, and I completely adore him.

I have spent the last two years taking classes, reading books, working with trainers of various styles, and trying new things to work through Art's dog reactivity. While we have made progress "home schooling," we have a ways to go and I know we can do it with time, consistency, trust and patience. I'm in this for the long haul. We recently joined the agility team with Tracy McCarty as our trainer. Tracy completely understands Art and is willing to allow us to work through these issues - thank you Tracy. Agility has been so much fun for me and my dogs (the girls are in the Beginner & Novice classes). Art's complexity and owner bond is unbelievably tight; we know when things work and when they don't work. I'm hoping the agility class will help build his confidence while enjoying this bond with me outside of the home. I'm now confidant (in myself) with handling him after all of the education he and everyone else have given to me. Art has introduced me to the most wonderful world of people who I now call family and friends. This is why he has changed my world. As a little girl I had the dream of being a veterinarian because of my love of dogs, and although that dream didn't come true in the medical aspect, it is now coming true in the dog behavior aspect; I am now living my childhood dream to be with dogs. So thank you Art and all of the people who have helped change my/our worlds. 

Tammi Savic

Meet Australian Shepherd, Sierra Jade’s Star Legacy, “Sierra.” Sierra was born on September 16, 2003. She was an ARPH rescue from Southern Illinois. I got her 1 week after her 1st birthday. From the moment I saw her “ad” on the website, I knew she was my dog.

As Australian Shepherds should be, she was quite smart and super sweet. I thought “wow, who would give up such a wonderful dog?” Then I took her out in public….my neighbors thought I brought home “Cujo.” She acted incredibly threatening to everyone she saw (near or far), yet, in the house she was the perfect dog….manners, well trained, no barking, no destruction, cuddly, playful, etc. My intention was to learn agility with my “new dog” but I knew this was far from starting since Sierra had to learn how to be ok around people and other dogs. We started private training, then basic obedience classes and eventually did start basic agility. Sierra was stellar at everything other than her issues with people and dogs coming too close; she would charge, snap at and bark any chance she could get. I joined MDTC with hopes of dog-pack boot camp rehabilitation. Between that and the guidance of several excellent private, expert trainers, Sierra and I learned how to manage her issues. Yes, Sierra was the “aggressive dog” everyone complained about to the club’s powers-to-be. I stuck it out though, kept working hard to help her learn and defended her positive progress like an over-protective mom; I was not giving up on the potential I knew she would someday reach.

After years of listening to all the experts, I began to develop my own system for Sierra. I was confident I could rehabilitate this awesome dog….and thus it happened. Today, Sierra is one of the most FUN dogs I have ever had the privilege of working with. She has taught me more about training and dog behavior than most people learn in a lifetime with dogs. Her spirit has a spark so bright that it lights up my every day. She is my cuddle bug, a total “mama’s girl.” She lives for fun. Every day Sierra reminds me how to play and be as silly as possible, or what’s the point? Sure she can still be sassy, loves to counter surf, scare people/dogs walking by her crate and make up her own games while training, but those are the things that keep me on my toes with her. It would take a decade to tell all her stories. Now, Sierra LOVES just about anyone she meets and tolerates most dogs, even finding a few quite fun to play with.

In 2011 Sierra gave me the biggest thank you for all the years of hard work…..she earned a spot in the top 10 of dogs in her level at the ASCA Agility National Specialty. She did everything I asked of her absolutely perfect! Her only one penalty was caused by MY misdirection. I wouldn’t trade Sierra for any other better skilled or more technically schooled agility dog. Working with Sierra has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Sierra has various titles in agility (ASCA, AKC, USDAA and CPE). She also has her CGC and herding HIC.

Sierra has played in MANY sports over the years: Agility, Obedience, Herding, Flyball, Tracking, and Frisbee.

Sierra has been involved in most of the club’s activities: Sports Shows, Demos, Holiday Parades, State Fair World of Dogs, Trials, Fun Matches, Achievement Trials, Heel Downs, Ghost Nights, Time Warner’s 411 TV demo and many others. 

Tracy McCarty

Cashmere joined our family when she was 5 months old. Cashmere is a 5 ½ year old All-American dog. That’s a polite way to say “mutt”. According to DNA, she is Boxer, German Shepard, Bernese Mountain Dog and Sharpei. The confusing thing is that her mother looked like a black lab. Go figure! Anyways, she’s our dog. We started in Obedience at MDTC when Cashmere was 9 months old. We worked our way through the Obedience classes, and when she was ready (had a good sit/stay and recall) we joined the Agility class. Jenn, our instructor, patiently worked with both of us. She had to convince me that flapping my arms all over (like a scarecrow), and calling repeatedly to Cashmere really were not helpful.

After a couple of years, we went to Madison for our first CPE (Canine Performance Events) trial. We did quite well, and that was it ~ we were in the competitive mode! Some of our highlights were the day we Qualified in all 5 runs and earned our only “Perfect Day” medallion, the day we finally completed Level 4 Standard (after a year and a half!), as well as attending CPE Nationals in Michigan (6/11).

Some “memorable” aspects: At our second trial, Cashmere took off from the start line and ran straight to the judge and barked, barked, barked at him. I later learned that he has a sheep farm, and quite a few dogs have that reaction to him. Another moment that shouldn’t have happened, especially for a Level 3 dog, was her first run at a trial where she was apparently so overjoyed that she zoomed all over. To see this “fastest run” ever, click on the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXkUueRxLaE . Other experiences have been when she stopped to eat a bee on the course, or stopped to smell masking tape, both of which put us overtime and “NQ’d” us. Luckily, with more experience and training, we have overcome all of these obstacles, and are only 10 Qualifying runs away from earning our C-ATCH, one of the highest awards in CPE. Cashmere’s love of agility is apparent in all of her pictures – her eyes are bright and she has the happiest look on her face.

Along with Agility, we have also earned our Open Title in Obedience and our Advanced Rally Title, as well as our Therapy Dog International certification. We’ve participated in the Sport Show, the Christmas Parade and various demonstrations throughout the years, as well as joined in the fun at Ghost Night. We have made a lot of friends, had lots of great experiences and have done a lot of traveling. Thanks MDTC for opening up our world to all of these opportunities!

Daryl Ann Stuppan  

Dog's Name - Devon

Human - Jennifer Smith (Friday Agility Instructor)

His name: "CH MACH3 Marial's Pepper Jack of Wegner NARX2, TRPX, DPCX" or "Devon" for short.

Devon's Games: Agility, Racing and Showing.

Devon's goals: To finish another Master Agility Championship and then perhaps dabble in obedience.

It was hard to choose him from my house of four, lovely, whippet boys, but I had to be honest and pick the heart dog. It isn't just the titles after and before this dog's name that make him special, but the trust and bond we have developed while seeking them. I am sure I would think he was special without them, but the fun memories have enriched my life so much.

His games have taken me to the south, east, and west of this country, so we're well traveled. His games have introduced me to other humans whom I cherish and would have never known if it were not for Devon. He has taught me much patience (with humans as well as canines) and calm though sometimes I forget his lessons and I have to relearn them.  

I'm a handsome Brittany boy, born May 2, 2010. I'm the fifth Brittany my human (Jody Lokken) has brought home to raise. I began my Agility training in January of 2011. I really like climbing on stuff, jumping over things and running through tunnels. I have a reputation of following my nose after jumping and taking off on my human rather than paying attention to her. It must be the hunter in me! My instructor, Tracy promised that after we train inside again that I will be superior! In November I am moving up to the Novice class!

I also started training with the MDTC Flyball team in February of 2011. I'm getting used to other dogs running right at me like a bullet at top speeds as I go out to jump the hurdles only to get that crazy ball at the end of the runway.

I also am training to be obedient and hope to get some "legs" in my first trial in November. I like going to classes and being with all my MDTC friends as we line up and learn new commands. Fred is a great instructor and has some really good tips.

I got my Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title and am qualified as a Therapy Dog with Therapy Dog International (TDI). I like visiting nursing homes and get to have lots of people petting me with smiles on their faces!

My favorite thing is to chase balls and birds. I love running in the woods with my playmate, Petra, who is also a Brittany.

I got to be the the first "Featured Dog" because my human is the webmaster for the MDTC website, and to show everyone how fun it is to get to be the featured dog of the month!