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Breaking News for Toller Troubles...

We are currently in the process of getting Casco's limited AKC registration removed! Some of you may not even know that my family owns a second toller. My time and this blog have been dedicated to our 15 month old female toller, Camden. This is mainly due to the fact that she is "mine". Casco is also from Seastar and is 4 days younger than Camden. While I've been working with her and taking her to shows our male toller has been living in upstate New York with my younger brother. Even though both tollers are our family pets Casco is considered Darren's. 

My brother recently was accepted into Tuft's Dental School. While we are extremely proud of my brother this means big changes in all of our lives. When we took on two toller puppies instead of one we knew this day might come. Casco will be staying in our house for the next 4 years while Darren attends school and chases his dreams. All pups under one roof... let the chaos begin! 

Welcome to the Jungle

While my brother is away at dental school I am taking the opportunity to work with Casco and show him. This does mean that I will have to also enter the show ring. I know, I know this is way overdue. 

I am not sure if it because he is a male but Casco has a lot more "energy" than Camden. It could be because he has been living with two males and no other dogs. He has been moved into a "new" house with "new" dogs and "new" humans. Although, none of these things are indeed new to him it is still different than before. Casco is adjusting well to everything including learning who truly rules our house... my 10lbs miniature pinscher, Quinn. He is a trooper and I am overjoyed to have him around.

I really would love to see him and Camden in the show ring, in the field, and on the dock together. Having him home allows me to work towards that goal. Fist step is to get his limited AKC registration removed so we can show him. I'm giving him time to adjust before really hitting the training. He is really smart and picks up on stuff easily. So hopefully it won't be too long or hard teaching him to free stack.

Our first priority is confirmation and a close second is dock dogs! Casco has been jumping into Seneca Lake at the encouragement of my brother. He also even jumped into our pool once after Darren, He is well on his way to rocking the dock. We will be heading to dock dog practices with both Camden and Casco. I am excited because I think he might actually go in the pool easier and faster than Cam. Camden is still working on her confidence with swimming, but I hope that it well soon become second nature to both of them. Dock Dogs would be something our whole family can enjoy! 

I really can not wait until we are flying off the dock and strutting our stuff around the show ring. The field work will take longer to master because of the level of training involved, but that is something my brother and I really want to do. With a duck and a pheasant in the freezer, I plan on taking a vacation in the fall to help work with them on basics and introduce birds to Casco. Cami has already seen and held a duck at the Toller Field Fun Day, but even then she was not too sure what she was supposed to do with it.  All I can say is BRING IT ON team toller trouble is ready! 

Topsfield Cluster

“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. ” ― Roger A. Caras

I'm struck by the truth in. She his quote. As I sit here and think about my dogs and the dogs of friend's, I'm forced to reflect upon my own life. If only we could all be more like the furry, loving creatures who warm our hearts and beds. They give us so much yet ask for very little. Take a moment and hug your dog... for tomorrow is not a promise or a guarantee, but yet a question yet to be answered. 

Day One

The day just felt good. You know that feeling when everything seems to fall in to place and it all just clicks. Well this was one of those days...

One of my favorite things about dog shows is the hustle and bustle. There is a dull hum of conversation and lingers throughout the grounds. You wind through mazes of grooming tables and kennels... bags and trunks. A roar from a blowdryer and a whirl of a dremel is enough to start a chain of grumbles and barks. People pass, with or without dogs, and children point and wonder about all the different breeds. As ring time approaches, all seems to slow down. The chaos that consumed you just minutes before becomes a distant memory as you march towards the ring. 

Camden was once again going into the ring with Marcy. She seemed relaxed, which is more than I can say for myself! I was a wreck. For the first time ever there was a possibility that I would have to enter the ring. You see, today was a big day... lots of tollers and Debbie and Melissa were going to show Kelty and Jake. They are two finished champions and would only enter the ring during the 'Best of Breed' judging. What does this all mean... Camden or Miss G would have to be named Winner's Bitch. This would be something neither of them had done before.

One Classy Broad

Camden and Debbie entered the ring and so it began. Cam did well and really was gaiting beautifully. After her evaluation and while doing her go around the judge went to check the standard. Melissa and I thought it was game over... he was checking up on the high white. While it isn't a disqualification... it's a fault. Things weren't looking good. After Marcy's evaluation it seemed as if we were right. It seemed as if he was giving the first place ribbon to Marcy.... but at the last second he seemed to change his mind and put Cami up! Oh be still my heart... my girl did it! Another blue ribbon and another first placement in her class. 

12 & Under 18 Months, Bitches - 1st Place

Could it be?

It was then on to Winner's Bitch. Camden once again hit her stride, but sure enough this is where the high white was going to really come into play. 

I was shaking in my flats. If Camden somehow did it... if she managed to get Winner's Bitch. "Breathe," I had to remind myself, "she has yet to do that!" Off they started around the ring. Camden just was on top of her game... she was bringing it tonight. It was like she was daring me. "I've done it mom.... I'm out here. It is your turn now!"

And just like that, the judge pointed to Camden. She had done it... she had taken winner's bitch. She got her first two points towards her championship. Now, I don't know if she will ever get her CH but I'm so very proud of my girl and I can't help but smile!! Today was a good day. One I will always remember. I do hope that it is the first of many and we can work our way towards that CH that I know she deserves despite her high white.

Best of Breed

No, Camden did not win Breed that day. I didn't care... at that point I was just so happy and overjoyed. Of course I was flung into the ring beside Camden. I could have done a better job at handling her... true, but HEY it is my first time. I'm still a newbie to all of this! I know some of you are wondering how that went... so I've included the video. Unlike the one above I can't get it to load in this post. So I will make a page dedicated to videos. Enjoy..... oh, and no laughing! 

Camden's Picture for her First two Points! 

Where in the World is Camden?

I have been seriously neglecting this blog. I apologize. I keep writing a little bit and never actually posting. There has been so much going on since my last post that it is hard to remember all of the things that have occurred. I will do my best to get you caught up in our journey!

First of all...

Camden is a fully registered member of the AKC. She has had her limited status revoked and this has allowed her to enter some shows. It is allowing me to follow this crazy journey and has also opened up a world of possibilities that I never dreamed of! I'm beyond excited to have so many possibilities in front of us!

IT'S OFFICIAL! FULLY REGISTERED MEMBER OF THE AKC!

Second...

Camden is officially a show dog!! She entered her first show on Thursday, May 16th, 2013. It was a series of four shows over four days in our home town of Scarborough, ME. She did wonderful! I could write a novel about that weekend and how many great memories were made.

I had to work on Thursday and Friday. It was pretty heartbreaking to not be there the first time Camden stepped out into the ring. She was making her debut and I was nervous only a couple miles away at work. Debbie was amazing and really embraced show Camden for me. I was able to drop Camden off before heading into work and Debbie and Melissa did the rest. They had a total of four dogs to groom and show, but they did it all with an optimistic attitude. I owe a huge thanks not only to the both of them, but my amazing father. For without his support and time I would not have seen Camden's first two days of showing at all. He left work and headed straight over to the show. He made it there in time to see Camden enter the ring and video tape all of the action so I could watch it later. Camden came in second in her class, but she did well. She strutted her stuff with the best of them. More importantly, she loved it. I don't think her tail fell even once.

Camden's First Ribbon 

Debbie said that Camden was easy to show and it has been said since that Camden shows herself. I would like to say that was all me, but in honesty... it was Camden. From day one of our conformation class until now she has always been easy. Teaching her to stack and stand for examination was a little difficult, but she listens so well that she made even the hard seem easy. I now look back on the first day of our conformation class and smile. The instructor was so pleased with Camden's reaction to a show lead. She put one and never looked back. That's my girl! Always looking forward. 

On Friday's show and on Saturday's show Camden also received a second place. Ever day she did well and was having fun. I was thrilled to get the chance to see her on Saturday and my heart just swelled with pride. 

On Sunday, the last day of the weekend shows, Camden seemed to really hit her stride. She was stacking and gaiting and really strutting her stuff. She even had fans that came out to watch her! Another thank you to Laura, her husband, and their wonderful daughter Sophia. I was so happy that you all came to watch and cheer Camden on. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

With fans in the stands and my parents there... she did it! She got first place in her class. She went on to the Winners Bitch, but that was taken by Miss Cay (another Seastar dog and a good friend of Camden's). I couldn't have been happier. It was such a great feeling and I was so proud. I still am so proud. 

Camden's First Blue Ribbon - June 19th, 2013

Fun in the Sun

The following weekend we were off to see good friends of our compete in a Dock Dogs event in Foxboro, MA. The Rock N Dock event was amazing. Dogs from all over coming out to compete and support Down Syndrome Awareness. Go Team 21 was there in full force and Camden got to see some of her favorite "pup-letes" compete! To top it all off it was located at Patriot's Place (a favorite place of mine since I am a huge Patriots fan). To be able to watch these fine athletes compete right near where some of my favorite athletes play was awesome! 

Not only did we get to enjoy the action on the dock but we also got to watch some action in the ring! Near by in Wrentham, MA was another dog show. This time we weren't entered by some Seastar friends were! Not to mention many other tollers Camden considers her friends. At the show there was a "Doggie Fun Zone" set up and if you have never seen this I suggest you youtube it right away. So cool! Camden almost jumped into the ring and really wanted to go chase the object whizzing around the course! 

After the show Camden and I swung by Debbie's house for Melissa's graduation party and got to see their tollers take on the pool. Highlight of my day as well. I just love to see a group of tollers playing. The weekend was a huge success and a nice break from the stresses of the work week.

On to the Field! 

After that amazing fun-filled weekend I was looking forward to taking Camden to the Toller Field Fun Day! Located at Nod Brook WMA in Simsbury/Avon CT. It was a weekend filled with Tollers, water, and Camden's new favorite thing... ducks! Jason and Kelli Cyr put on a wonderful fundraiser for the 2013 Toller National Specialty. Jason and their dog London have been making a huge name for tollers in the world of field work. London is a truly amazing dog and you can tell a lot of time and patience has gone into his training. To see him work was worth the trip alone. Camden got to go out in the field and learn about what it takes to be a field dog. She also got introduced to ducks. Jason had made a drying rack for the ducks and Camden went timidly up to the ducks and started sniffing and it was all over. She fell in love. She kept wanting to head back over to them. When it came to her turn she bounded right after the duck and tried to figure out how to grab it. After some playful teasing by Jason she actually picked it up and shook it for good measure. Only once, but that was enough to make my weekend! 

Next came the water series... for most of you this means a dog retrieving a duck or dummy out of the water.... and it did mean that eventually, but first came my water series. When we entered the park there were some puddles and a trickle across the road. Nothing major and the tropical storm Andrea had already moved through the area. The skies were blue and the sun was shining. No signs of the massive amounts of rain that had come through over that past few days. The entrance road to the park and our field work had become extremely flooded while I was introducing Camden to ducks. There was no way to get out but to go through the flooding. I had used my father's car, a tiny red Honda Civic, to make the long trek to CT. After much debate, Jason came to the rescue with a tow strap and guts! We hooked up the Civic and Jason told me to hold on and freak out (in so many words) and we were off. I could hear the water hitting underneath and around my car. I was petrified the engine would stall and that the civic would die. Camden was sound asleep in the passenger seat without a care in the world, after all... she wasn't the one in the water. After rounding a corner and coming face to face with cameras and cell phones all in various stages of videotaping or taking pictures my car was pulled safely up on to the dirt road on the other side. People cheered and I breathed a sigh of relief. Toller people do NOT let a little bit of water ruin a good time! It was on to the water series!!

Towing the Civic Through the Flooded Entrance Road - NOW ON TO THE REAL WATER SERIES!!!

Camden didn't do as well with the water series, but I had known she wouldn't. She had yet to really swim and was still pretty unsure of herself around deep water. Also, she doesn't really like dummies. She just wants her ball. This is no doubt something that needs to be worked on, but we have been so busy with showing and life that dummy work has fallen by the wayside. Camden was very intent on watching the ducks and the other dogs do their thing. I hope she picked up a few pointers from the more experienced pups. 

Relaxing by the Water Series and Taking it all in! 

Overall, we have been having a great time getting to know the world of conformation and field work. Also every Toller person we have met is just wonderful and welcoming. I am so glad to be a part of this world and to get to share that journey with my sidekick! 

On to the Future

Camden hitting her stride at the dog show on June 18th, 2013

Keepin' it in the Family

A Great Day for Seastar & Cooper!

Camden is very proud to be a Seastar Toller and Cooper pup!

Fitchburg was, in one word, fun! I love being around all the different breeds and people who share my love of dogs. It makes my soul happy.

Our day started out a little crazy. I don't know why but we thought it was only going to take about an hour and 20 mins to an hour and 30 mins to get to the show. It took "over" two hours according to my GPS. Oh boy! Talk about panic... on my part, not Camden's. She just slept the whole way. I managed to get there in a little less than two hours and make the end of the toller judging.

THE RESULTS

BOB: GCH Lennoxlove Susqudilla's Mini Cooper (Cooper - Cami's Dad)

BOS/WB: Seastar's Northern Cay (Cay)

BOW/WD: Seastar's Northern Jumpin' Jake Flash (Jake)

SELECT DOG: CH Seastar's Welcome Brother (Emmet)

Camden got a good once over from Robyn (Cooper's owner) and the results are good. Laurie said she definitely gained some leg since the last show we went to in November!! Her high white is only about two fingers too high so not that much. Not bad, but some judges won't like the fact the other one has next to nothing. I'm so glad to hear that they all think we should give it a try and have fun with it! Seastar is all about having fun with your dog. 

Jane & Robyn were so nice and down to earth. Just like all "toller people" I've met. I also got to meet Hope, Magic, and Sadie (the original Toller in Seastar!) Jane was nice enough to bring them. They are still beautiful dogs even as they age! 

Laurie brought her dog and was showing me what to do for some basic retrieval training. She also brought three dummies for Cam-cam to use! Camden wanted to chase it down and did a wonderful job... until it came to picking it up. I don't think she has had any "toy" in her mouth with that much weight to it and that large around. She would rather just pick up the throwing rope. Laurie showed me how to make it fun for her and teach her how to hold the dummy at the same time. We have already had a "training session" at home and she got really excited about it. We will just keep working on it until she can hold it herself for longer than a few seconds. 

Overall, it was a really fun day and we learned a lot. Debbie has offered to go in the ring to show Cami and we will most likely take her up on that offer since I am not that comfortable going in to the ring yet.  Probably going to hold out a little for some more training and for her coat to fill in more. Jane said that a lot of changes come between 8 and 12 months! Looking forward to those changes and all of what 2013 has to bring! 

-Ashley

On the Road Again

Back to Fitchburg we go! 

This is going to be short and sweet. I just wanted to inform the Cam-arazzi about upcoming events! 

Camden and I are packing up and headed back to Fitchburg, MA again this weekend. Once again... not to compete, but to be with the lovely ladies of Seastar and support tollers. Jake only needs 3pts to finish! Wow what a boy! He already has had his two majors and is so close to his CH. Maybe Cam is his good luck charm! Crossing our paws!!

I am really excited to be going to another show. I'm sure Camden is also. I know she had a lot of fun last time. I think we definately would have fun doing this, but we shall see where Camden brings me. She opens up doors to places I only thought about. We have so much ahead of us on this crazy journey! I am already worlds away from where I thought I would ever be with a dog. 

I can't wait to hang out with Debbie and Laurie again!! Two ladies who are just so much fun to be around and a wealth of knowledge! Camden will also be able to meet a lot of other Seastar people... including Jane, the lady who started it all. Intimidated doesn't really begin to describe it. I'm anxious and nervous... but oh so excited! I'm sure she is just like every other toller person I have met or talked to, super nice and friendly. 

All rights belong to You Dirty Dog Wash & Boutique

I'm going to have to take Cam by our favorite doggie spa, You Dirty Dog! This place is really awesome. If anyone is in the Southern Maine area (South Portland), I highly recommend them! They are such lovely people with a great facility. Not to mention reasonable priced. Camden's favorite part is their treat bar! So much yumminess in one place! 

Picture they took of Cam-cam last time we were there... right before the first show!

I will be sure to take lots of pictures and post about our experiences at the show! I just hope this flu/cold I have leaves before Saturday so I can really have a good time. Keep checking back for more updates! 

-Ashley 

Curled up with James

A book, silly.

No... this is not a friend of mine, but the author of a book I am reading. Unlike conformation, there is not a class I can sign up for to learn how to train Camden to retrieve. I am not a hunter and I do not know the first thing about hunting. I wouldn't even know where to start to train her to do what these amazing dogs do. Just seeing some videos of them working is intimidating enough. Am I really going to be able to get Cam to do THAT?! (Click the link below... You must be joking. ME?!)

Youtube Video of a Toller at work!

The answer is yes.... ME, with the help of Seastar Kennels and numerous other wonderful people. Maybe even a professional or two along the way. With that in mind, I did what I always do. Ask for advice. I went directly to the person who introduced me to the idea, Laurie (one of the fabulous Seastar ladies). She said a great place to start was with a good book about retrievers and hunting. Not just any book though... a book. 'Training Retrievers for Marshes and Meadows' by James B. Spencer to be exact. She said it would give me a good introduction to hunting trials and the world of a working retriever. I ended up finding the book through a local book/music store and am happy to say it came in the mail yesterday. 

It came! It finally came!

I instantly opened it and was rewarded with the lovely smell of brand new pages and the almost silent crack of a new binding. Ahhhh... the joys of books! Ok, ok... back on track. I could tell after a few pages that Laurie was right. This book is going to be wonderful for me. He provides a wealth of knowledge and doesn't give a ridged timeline like most training books I've read. Those never seem to work. Oh and he mentions "Nova Scotia dock tolling retriever" AND "tollers". I was very impressed! The other books only mentioned labradors and goldens. 

After finishing the first chapter (in which he talks about the following chapters), I can say I am excited to start. It seems like a good program for the amateur handler, aka me. I am going to take his advice and read the entire book before going back and starting to train Cam. 

I'm already seeing how some of her conformation training is going to pay off with hunting trials. She has already started to learn how to read me and look to me for what to do next. She seems like a pro at stay (I may be a bit bias). She has drive and focus that will also go along way in training and trials. She is toy crazy. When I have a toy (or a treat) I am the only person in the world. This will come in handy for those longer training sessions that I'm sure we have ahead of us. 

I also am taking his advice and stopping after chapter one and playing with my pup, saving chapter one for after work tomorrow. Good advice already (no really... that was his advice)! So I am off to do just that... cuddle with Cam-cam and the Quinnster and dream about the future ahead of us. :-) 

-Ashley 

Little Red Duck Dog and Her Ball

Hi everyone! As some of you may know, the world of conformation is very particular and subjective. Each judge is different and have different things that they are looking for. One might be looking at the coloring another movement. Camden has a high white front paw that is a little too high for the breed standard. This isn't a huge problem, but it isn't offset very well. Her other front paw has very minimal white. There is also some other concerns I have, but I wont sit here and list them all... it boils down to her having a lot going against her for showing. A true underdog.

This however does not mean that it all ends. I am going to keep training her for conformation. If for nothing more than the bond and the fun we have training. Not to mention the great manners and control it gives you and the dog. The name of the game is to have fun with your dog! I want to do something we will both enjoy and I think Cami has found her calling.

Being a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever obviously means she is born to retrieve... I believe it is more than that. She absolutely loves retrieving. She goes nuts. Her face lights up and she has the focus and dedication to learning that I haven't experienced in another dog. She focuses on the toy... on me.... and really seems like she wants to learn. She was a natural and picked it up without any real training. I never really taught her to fetch, or bring a toy back, drop it, or leave it. She just seems to get it.

With all that being said, we are going to focus on training for retrieving and hunt trails. I have a wonderful group of breeders who are there for me and support me. After talking with Laurie and really seeing Cami's face light up while retrieving we are going to dive into hunting trials. After all, it is really what NSDTRs are born to do.

This is going to be interesting for a girl who doesn't hunt and has never picked up a gun in her life to transform her and her dog into hunting partners. For now I will not be going hunting with Camden... if that is required I have some family friends who I am sure would love to take her :-)

We are taking it day by day and just trying to have fun. I'm a competitive person and really have been searching for something I can do that I love. I think NSDTRs are it :-) So happy about my choice in breed! I'm loving this journey with an amazing four legged red head!

(Pictures and videos of her playing and fetching in the snow to follow)

-Ashley