Gittalong

Gittalong is the founder of Gittalong Little Doggie. Because of his let’s play and have fun attitude we have chosen to allow him to participate only by name and to keep him out of the daily operation procedures here at the office. We leave the big decisions up to Rodeo our acting CEO. Gittalong is what you would call my heart dog. We have always said that there’s actual time and then there’s Gitty’s time. Gitty takes life as so many of us should live our lives in that… don’t sweat the small stuff. Gitty has been trained in both Competition Obedience and Rally Obedience. He cares only about two things in life and that would be Frisbee and being with me at all times. In watching Gitty and searching for what he might excel at I found that his sensitive spirit and his carefree personality made him a wonderful candidate for a Therapy dog. After much research Gitty and I enrolled in a certification program and he became a Certified Therapy dog. Gitty has been an absolute blessing to all he comes in contact with on his visitations. He almost has an attitude that permeates of… here I am let the party begin. Gitty also has trained in Agility and is presently competing. Gitty has earned both his Novice and Open Standard Agility titles and Jumpers Agility titles in both AKC and ASCA/NADAC. Gitty also has his CGC certificate. Gitty has also proven to be some kind of Frisbee dog. His style and drive has made him very impressive to watch. He can literally fly off the ground and hang for what seems as if it’s minutes. He is truly a site to watch. Gitty and I are presently competing in Frisbee.

Rodeo

The reason why Rodeo is the CEO of Gittalong Little Doggie is his utmost responsible personality. Rodeo has been an absolutely amazing study of dog behavior. In many ways Rodeo has taught me things in the past five years about life and human nature that I might not otherwise have learned without him. I have seen a dog that where he once lacked self-confidence has slowly struggled along to gain not only confidence but trust in me who has become very proactive with him. I have learned that as I stand in the balance for Rodeo that he has a full understanding that we are a team and he need not to react to the simplestof situation. In my work with Rodeo I searched for what might he enjoy and would build self-assurance in him. I first tried Competition Obedience and even though it taught him many wonderful and much needed things it wasn’t what Rodeo enjoyed. Then I thought just maybe Rodeo would excel in Agility. One day of working Rodeo in a class of Agility was the beginning of a new life for Rodeo. He was absolutely ecstatic over the entire Agility idea. He was fast, confident, driven and an absolute natural. So Agility it was. After 2 years of weekly training… Rodeo is presently competing and not only has done well but has moved up in classes and continues to learn more at each and every trial we compete at. Rodeo presently holds his MXJ and MX in AKC. He has earned his ATCH SP in ASCA which is one of the highest achievements in ASCA Agility. I am so looking forward to many years to come with Rodeo and our teamwork in and out of the Ring.

A word from Rodeo our CEO

We here at Gittalong Little Doggie love dogs of all shapes and sizes. There are no perfect breeds nor are there perfect people. We hope that each day you will stop and think of how you can make the life of a dog a little happier here on earth. I read a story once that I would like to share with you it helped me understand what truly a gift of love people can be to us dogs and in return we can be to them.

Sincerly,

Rodeocowboystar

NO CHARGE FOR LOVE

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups. And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post,he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. "Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies." "Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat of the back of ! his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money." The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?" "Sure," said the farmer, and with that he let out a whistle. Here, Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up.... "I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would. " With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg f his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands. " With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. "How much?" asked the little boy. "No charge," answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."

--- Author Unknown ---

The Diggity Dog Entertainment Guide
Written By Gittalong - Executive Editor

No matter what kind of dog you may have there are many great activities you can do together. Here are some of my top picks, which I have had personal experience in, Agility, Obedience, Rally, Frisbee and Therapy Dog Work. These are only a few things you may enjoy with Fido but whatever you chose always remember you decided to do it not Fido so be patient and always remember to laugh along the way.

Agility
My personal experience with Agility has been an amazing adventure for me. Agility is a sport that appeals to young people and to senior citizens. It has great spectator appeal. Agility is designed to demonstrate a dog's willingness to work with its handler in a variety of situations. It is an athletic event that requires conditioning, concentration, training and teamwork. Dog and handlers negotiate an obstacle course racing against the clock.

Obedience
Now here’s a good one for you. Put me in my own yard and I develop amnesia to my name at times but put me in an Obedience ring and I’m ready to show you the best recall a person has ever seen. Obedience tests a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored. The best part of watching a trial is to see the close bond that has developed between the dog and handler. Their total concentration on the task at hand gives way to the sheer delight of accomplishment that can be seen on the faces of both - and in the wag of a tail… if the dog has one that is.

Rally
This sport is right up my alley since I think talking is just the way to go in life. Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations. Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Hers the best part of this sport the handler can talk to the dog.

Therapy Dog
If you want an activity that you can do with your dog and everyone is touched by then Therapy work is for you and Fido. To become a Therapy Dog Fido must be tested and evaluated by a Certified Evaluator.  A dog must be a minimum of one (1) year of age and have a sound temperament.  Each dog must pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC), and a temperament evaluation for suitability to become a Therapy Dog.  The test will also demonstrate the evaluation of the dog’s behavior around people with the use of some type of service equipment (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.).

Frisbee
I could drop eating and any other activity on this planet to catch a flying disc. I’m telling you… this is the good life. Frisbee FREESTYLE – This is a fun competition. Handlers make up their own combination of tricks and flying disc catches to the music of their choice, limited to 90 seconds. Entrants are judged on the number of catches, difficulty of tricks and artistic impression.

SINGLE DISC COMPETITION – This is the class that allows you to earn legs towards titles! Dogs and handlers have 2 one-minute rounds to complete as many successful throws and catches as possible. Dogs receive points for the distance the disc is caught at and bonus points if the dog “gets air” (all 4 feet leave the ground). Dogs should be capable of catching discs at least 10 yards from the thrower.

So these are my top picks but I would love to hear from you with your own favorites or any training questions you might have or maybe just to chat about you and your own dogs accomplishments.