Growing up in rural Cape Breton one never really thought of giving a dog a job but I guess they just created their own jobs. Door bell, property security, vacuum cleaner, land scaper, car chasers, hunter, kid security to name a few. 
If you don't give your dog a job, trust me, they will pick a job for themselves and it may not be to your liking. Quincy has had many jobs over the last ten years, my liking buddy, agility partner, demo dog in our Dogsafe classes, biking companion, snuggle bug, paddle board companion, security, and most recently a big sister and role model for Skye. 
Some of these jobs came naturally to her others we learned together with training and fun diligence. All of them have led to an incredibly strong bond and communications so in tune that we rarely even think that we are two species.

How do you choose a job for your dog? Well, think about you and your dogs personalities and needs. Apart from the common jobs of companionship and door bell think about a ball retriever, scent worker (use that sniffer), agility (burn some energy), flyball, joring (combination of dog and human power in pulling & running/skiing/biking or here's a new one to me Sulky pulling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqaqGYFaYW4     
I haven't decided which one(s) Skye and I will do but rest assure, with her energy and brains we will have one. Presently our focus is on our sign language and recall.
Stay tuned.......

Yesterday we ventured out to a newer off the road trail out here in Chilliwack. I have a strong belief that this was Skye's first adventure in the wilderness and she loved it! Quincy, whom I couldn't loose if I tried, was off leash. This also helped to keep her safe from injury from Skye's tether.  Skye was on a 4 meter line tethered to me, and my waist is sore for sure lol, with her spaz runs...

Quincy "walked it" on a couple of fallen trees and Skye had to try after as well. Skye's recall, when she sees me calling is instant and great. Soon we will have her vibration collar so we can start recall practice off leash (in a fenced area initially). 

Two super girls, I can't wait to see what adventures we'll do together. 
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Well our move to the Fraser Valley is coming together but don't think we've forgotten our friends in Surrey and Langley. We know some of you will be up for renewal for your Dogsafe Level One certification. Can you believe it's been 3 years already!!  Well Quincy and I would love to catch up with you, so we've scheduled a couple of classes in Langley for you. 

For those new to canine first aid, thank you for caring enough to improve your skills in caring for our four legged friends. I hope your interest isn't in hindsight, and if it is that things turned out ok. Regardless, after a day of learning and practising different skills, you will be much better prepared to cope with an injured or sick dog. Or even better, you'll be able to prevent the need for using a lot of the skills covered in Dogsafe Level One.

Check out what courses are available and register on line, or contact me direct. 

Here we are in 2016. It's no news to any of you how time flies so I thought I'd include you in my game plan for the year. First objective is to complete my move to Chilliwack meanwhile, I'll be getting ready for the Petlover Show at the Trade Ex in Abbotsford on Feb. 27&28th. Once again I've been invited to present on stage at the show, date and time TBA. I'll be scheduling

Although Quincy and I have had the chance to paddle a couple of times recently, very successfully, it was boarding from a dock. We loved it! So yesterday I invested in a new to me board for us. We just finished our first practice boarding from shallow water at Blackies Spit. Again, we loved it :)

Tomorrow I want to practice pulling her in with her life jacket in deep water, if I can find a volunteer willing to get wet helping :)

What's super special about our new sport is that as Quincy gets older (she's now 10) she can still hang out with me on outings. She can be my lounge lizard.

Special thanks to the ladies at Deep Cove Outdoors who geared us up yesterday, including a new life jacket for Quincy. Thank you for your service and for being so welcoming to Quincy in your store, you rock!! http://www.deepcoveoutdoors.com/kayakshop/

Hey y'all, prepping for a road trip south we are. Quincy and I are planning on hiking/camping in the Columbia Gorge soon. I always try to leave a note in the window of the truck when I have to make a quick pit stop and Quincy is left in the air conditioned truck. Meant to assure concerned public that I've taken precautions for her safety. I'm just going to make and laminate one for this trip and would like your feedback. My goal is to give enough info without giving to much info, for our future safety. What do you think of the content. I believe I still need to play with layout.