| |
 Within
twelve months of Billy's arrival we decided to get him some company (at
least that was the excuse, but the sheltie bug had bitten). We decided we
didn't really want a puppy. Vi put us in touch with Lilreb Kennels who had
a breeding bitch they were looking for a home for. Enter, Katie (Lilreb
Touchastyle).
Kate was 5 years old and had already delivered three litters of gorgeous
sheltie puppies, so she was spayed and delivered to her new home. Well,
it took her a few weeks to settle in, but she quickly became adjusted
to the lounge (much more comfy than her kennel bed), to cuddles in bed (even
comfyier
than the lounge), to smooching, and to Billy's basket (see photos in our
treasure chest). And so our sheltie clan was growing. Katie has matured
into the most wonderfully natured dog. She is a treasured member of our
family, providing the most dedicated huggles and smooches. At 11 years of
age, we are planning for Katie to embark upon her Therapy-dog career, where
she can provide these hugs and love for others in need of such contact.
|
 |
 At
the end of 1998 we took the plunge and got another puppy with thoughts
of performance training a puppy and in the longer term as a breeding partner
for Billy with an aim of future performance pups. We sought advice from
those more experienced and settled on a female pup (yet to born) from
Lilreb kennels. The sire was our Katie's grandson. Lilreb and Cardiff
have crossed this line before with
success so we hoped we wouldn't be flying blind.
The result was (luckily) a choice
from two females in the litter. Enter Missy (Lilreb
Toucha Kate). Enter Bedlam, Enter more laughter and joy. As she grows
we will add progress photos.
 Missy
is presently proceeding very well with her obedience and agility training.
She is being clicker trained in a reward-based environment. Our toolbox
of rewards range from verbal praise, cuddles, toys, ball-throwing to various
foods and tugawar. This has been a wonderfully rewarding way for me to
teach a new dog old tricks- her responsiveness and willingness to learn
are excellent. Missy received her AAD title in September 2000 and she
is improving all the time. Billy is now also being trained with these
reward-based methods, but not being toy or ball motivated, Billy's behaviour
is reinforced using verbal praise, cuddles, tummy rubs, back rubs and
food. Billy is currently preparing for his ANKC open obedience work, after
learning to retrieve the dumbell using the clicker as a desired-behaviour
marker. He is also continuing with his agility- he will probably retire
from ANKC (where he is a medium dog jumping 570mm) once he achieves his
AD title and perhaps JD title. He will continue in ADAA (where he is jumping
400mm) indefinately.
See
our agility action shots of Missy and Billy.
|
Welcome
to the Harrisonhill Sheltie Clan. We started off in '94 with our Billy
(Cardiff Night Reveller CD), he came to us
from Vi Smith at Cardiff Kennels in Brisbane. We had been doing our homework
on the type of puppy we wanted, tossing up between beagles and shelties,
and as much as I admire the beagle breed I know we made the right decision.
Once Billy arrived on the scene we fell in love not only with this endearing
lively lovable character, but also with the breed. Since this time we
have learnt a great deal about the breed, (but like all good things, we
still have so much more to learn) and also about performance
sports with your dogs. 
Tracey
gave away a successul competitive equestrian
life in 1997 and to fill the void began training and competing with
the dogs- obedience
and agility
are so very much like dressage and showjumping- and the training is also
quite similar. Her background in Thoroughbred breeding is also coming
in handy in learning about pedigrees and family lines. Billy is seen here
competing in Agility where he received his AAD title in April 2000. He
had already earned his CD title in obedience in October 1998.
