Vizslas in the Oakland Hills

Every picture tells a story don't it?  I kept singing this lyric as I walked the hills and took pictures.

Video of Vizsla meeting Coyote

This video has already been viewed a few thousands of times.

The video calls it Dog meets Wolf.

but it is actually Vizsla meets Coyote.

hit bottom right icon to make full screen

Make sure the speakers are on for full effect.

HSUS only $19 per month - Uncage a Lawyer

Great job to the folks that put this together.  So true!!!  Pass this
You Tube Video along to all your dog friends.

It's time to defeat this group.

U.S Flag On Top of a Mountain with Vizsla

 An hour into a mountain trail hike into the Las Trampas Wilderness area this morning, I came across this lone U.S. flag.  

 Thinking that a great photo opportunity should never be wasted, I set up a few shots.

 Trekking poles, water bladder backpack, baseball cap and sun glasses sitting next to this out of place flag.

 Chloe doesn't mind being in pictures.

  She shouldn't.  She has been in hundreds of them.

Photography is not just taking pictures.  I am a student of what the lens catches.  Sometimes it works.  Most of the time it doesn't.

Signs of Stress in a Vizsla

Signs of Stress Checklist

"STRESS SIGNALS CHECKLIST (check all that apply)"

Eyes:

[ ] dilated eyes

[ ] glazed over

[ ] squinting

[ ] whale eye (whites showing)

[ ] avoidance (eyes or head turned away)

[ ] direct stare

[ ] blinking

[ ] quick movements of the eyes

[ ] looks frequently to handler for direction

[ ] red eyes (mucus membranes turn red with increased blood pressure)

Face:

[ ] furrowed brow/scowling

[ ] veins popped out over eyes

[ ] ears uneven

[ ] ears up and aroused

[ ] ears plastered back

[ ] buries head like ostrich

[ ] quick movements of the head

Mouth:

[ ] licking lips or nose

[ ] clomping jaw

[ ] yawning

[ ] panting - too wide

[ ] panting - too shallow

[ ] velvet tongue

[ ] snarling, lip curling, showing teeth

[ ] drooling

[ ] air snaping

[ ] whiskers slicked back or pricked forward

Vocalizing:

[ ] whining

[ ] screaming

[ ] excessive barking

[ ] sharp yipping

[ ] growling

Posture:

[ ] stiff

[ ] avoidance

[ ] cowering

[ ] hiding in back

[ ] turning away

[ ] stretching

[ ] tail up (when it usually isn't)

[ ] tail down (when it usually isn't)

[ ] stiff-legged walk

[ ] freezing

Others:

[ ] slow or shallow breathing

[ ] sniffing

[ ] trembling

[ ] clinched toes

[ ] red pigment ears/eye rims

[ ] normally white skin looking pinkish (increased blood pressure) look in the ears where hair is thin

[ ] chewing/scratching at self

[ ] self injury/mutilation

[ ] spinning/circling

[ ] digging/escape behaviors

[ ] chewing at bars

[ ] rubbed at top of nose

[ ] passing gas

[ ] sweaty/moist paw prints on floor

[ ] blowing coat

[ ] unexplained loss of weight

[ ] unusually loose feces

[ ] loss of bladder or bowel control

[ ] goosing, shoving or poking handler

[ ] leaning into or hiding behind handler

[ ] lethargic

[ ] attention seeking

[ ] circling or arcing



"Dogs may exhibit some of these signs even when experiencing happy stress. For example, a wedding is considered a very happy time for humans, but it is still stressful. I have a dog who raises her hackles every time she catches a frisbee in the air. She's not scared of the frisbee, just excited at her accomplishment.

If your dog is showing signs of stress above the norm, then your first course of action should be to remove him from the stressor. Find a quiet place to decompress.

You can give calming signals to your dog, such as lip licking, yawning or blinking. These signals indicate stress because the dog is attempting to calm himself, or to calm others in the area that he thinks might be about to lose it. Giving the signals back to him can help to calm him.

Learn some TTouch techniques to help your dog relax:

 http://www.ttouch.com/

Do not attempt to comfort your dog. This will tend to confirm his worst fears and cause him to be less confident in future stressful situations. Instead, calmly remove the stressor, or remove the dog from the source of stress and help him calm down. If you feel you must puppy talk your dog or give affection, ask him first to do something to earn praise. It can be something simple, but if you offer praise for being stressed, you may tend to perpetuate the stress or cause it to appear more easily in future. Always give affection for desirable behaviors.

Some dogs respond well to doodle work when stressed. The idea with doodle work is to run a series of simple commands but with rapid changes so that the dog must focus on the commands and forget about his worries. Sit, down, heel, front, down, finish, sit, etc. but in rapid succession.

Service dogs will tend to follow the lead of their handler. Lead by example by exuding calm and confidence in stressful situations. Show proper stewardship by protecting your dog from stress."

From this great website:

http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/523

Chloe's Mom Passes over the Rainbow Bridge

Have tissue at hand before viewing.

Chloe's mom, Ruby, passed over the Rainbow Bridge at the too young age of 11, a few weeks back.  

This "Ode to Vizsla"  goes out to Vickie and Randy, whose love for the breed was my introduction into the Vizsla world.


When Joanie and I went to see the new born (10-day-old) pups in 2007, we saw Rosie (our first Vizsla ever).  We were greeted at the door by Rosie, with a plush stuffed toy securely in her mouth and tail wagging.  Actually, like Chloe, everything behind her front legs wag. 


 We fell in love with this wonderful dog and knew we wanted one of her pups.  Over the next six weeks, I visited three or four times a week as the pups grew.  I got to know Vickie and Randy and how Vizsla addiction becomes overpowering.


Spent some time with Randy and Vickie yesterday at the annual Vizsla Fun Field Days.  Bodie, Chloe's brother, is doing well but as they heal from the loss they are starting to looking for their next red bird dog pup to refill their lives. 



Pictures of Ruby and Chloe from two years ago at the 2010 Vizsla Fun Field Day below.


http://redbirddog.blogspot.com/2010/05/princess-chloe-meets-queen-ruby.html

Good bye Ruby.

Chloe looks a lot like her mom.  A very good thing.

Vizsla Fun Field Day 2012

Coming into the Club house area of Hastings Island 7a.m.

It's going to be a good day.

Starting area for the Novice Puppy run seen from where I was planting birds.

8-month-old Riley and humans enjoying the wet fields in the cool morning air before Riley's Junior run.

Ken and Gordon going out with Bailey and Red in Senior level run

Gathering around the bar-b-que for hamburgers

Waiting for the demonstration of Master level hunting dogs in action

A very nice day after a week of rain.

Gordon and his dogs, Red and Lucky joined by Mike with Riggs.
They put on a show in the field that the 100 or so Vizsla owners enjoyed.

Belle, one of Bailey's pups at 1-year-old, after her  Junior run.

"I Have an Appointment with Spring" - Thoreau

Pictures taken on the first day of Spring 2012 at Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley.

Earlier post about this Hidden Treasure:

http://redbirddog.blogspot.com/2012/03/hidden-treasure-garland-park-carmel.html

Dog 101 - The Vizsla in Hungary

Hungarian language TV introducing the current Hungarian smooth coat
 and wirehaired Vizslas.

             click bottom left hand icon to open to full screen.


 Explains basic history, standard look and hunting behavior to a limited degree. Apparently, the Vizsla should not be trained by strict standards like the German standards and the dog seems to be linked to Hungarian culture, food, etc. In no way is it fearful or aggressive.

 Training can be tricky because the dog anticipates to a higher degree than other breeds what is ask and that could be interpreted as stubborn. Overall, it tries to adapt in most circumstances.

 - Posted by a senior  Hungarian Vizsla Forum member.

Bailey Passes First Leg of Senior Hunt Test

 Scoring:

Some of the most frequently asked questions about judging concern the scoring method. Judges must remember that in order for a dog to earn a Qualifying score, it must receive an average of 7 for the entire test, with no ability category scored below 5. For example, a Junior hunting dog could score perfect 10s in three categories and not qualify if the score in the fourth category was below 5.
Another frequently asked question is how do you determine what score from 0 to 10 you should give in any category. “Guidelines for Scoring AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Tests” is provided at the end of this booklet. These Guidelines are meant to provide greater consistency in scoring.
A reasonable approach is for the judge to determine if the dog should qualify in an ability category, which would mean a minimum score of 5. The Judge then determines whether the ability exceeds or falls short of a 5, progressing toward a perfect 10. Knowing the dog must have an average of 7, the Judge then considers whether it earned a 7 or higher. With a 5, the dog would have to make up the average of 7 by scoring higher than 7 in other categories.
A judge might want to compare the scores to grades received in school. A 7 would then be comparable to a passing grade of “C.” An 8 would be a “B,” a 9 would be an “A” and 10 would be an “A+”.

AKC POINTING BREED HUNT TEST RULE BOOK

Ken and Bailey at the starting line of the 30 minute brace

Bailey on point and Ken and gunners getting in position

Ken gives Bailey a "whoa" before sending the bird into the air

link to Bailey's pro trainer's website

Wouldn't have been done without the help of Ken

Just came home from Bailey's passing his first leg of Senior Hunt Test at the Sutter Buttes Pointer Club event. 12 dogs entered and only Bailey and 1 other dog passed. 

Yesterday only 1 in 12 dogs passed in the driving cold spring rain that blew through with winds over 40 mph. It was miserable to say it lightly.

Feels good. 9 attempts before on my own as Bailey's handler. 9 times we failed. Yesterday and today I let Ken take the boy out. We'll do it again next weekend at the German Wirehair Pointer Club of Northern California event. Out in a field doing a hunt test on the day before and Easter day. A wide-open field in nature with good people, dogs, and horses. Nice church if you ask me.

Bailey happy to see Ken and Janet.  Great sign.

Bailey is back with Ken for a week more of tune-up. We are getting there.