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Hi my name is COOKIE and I’m an Australian Cattle Dog, born on 19 Aug 06, my dad got me when I was just 6½ weeks old and this is my story page. Here’s where I’m going to share my training as I progress in the the World of Freestyle disc and just to make things interesting for my Dad I was born bilaterally DEAF! That means I always have an EXCUSE! For my bad behaviour, I mean misguided energy.
6 ½ weeks. No trouble finding my feet, I haven’t missed my old mum or brothers
and sisters at all – I have 4 new brothers and one new sister, though at the moment
only one of them likes me, that’s the collie, Beano. I sleep through the night in
a crate by the side of Dad’s bed, and I’ve got this ‘not poo-
8 weeks. Have started learning the basics. I can do ‘Sit’ and Down’. Dad has had emails from Auntie Pat in Canada and Auntie Phyllis in America about how to start my Disc training. I am chasing ‘rollers’ – discs rolled along the ground for me to catch. It’s Fun! I’ve also visited Mum’s agility club and Dad’s Flyball club. I’m not allowed to mix with the other dogs yet, but there’s been plenty of ‘pass the pup’ which I liked. Socialisation is extra important for me. Firstly, the Breed character for ACD’s states that we are ‘wary of strangers but amenable to handling’. Secondly, many people think that deaf dogs could be snappy as they startle easily. To get round that, Mum and Dad are making sure that I associate being tapped, prodded and poked with positive experiences. It worked a bit too well with their other Deafie, Toggle; quite often he totally ignores them when they tap his rump to try to get his attention! Also had my first jab – it was o.k., actually I didn’t even notice! Also had some wormy cake which was lovely – I have to have ¼ tablet over the next 4 days. Mum says ‘palatable’ worming tablets aren’t, normally, but these are yummy!
9 weeks. I am learning to follow a finger! This means that I come when they beckon me, and will follow the finger around either clockwise or anticlockwise. This will be the beginning of my twists and spins. I’m also learning to play with a disc – I have a special puppy one that my Auntie Pat sent all the way from Canada. Playing consists of chasing the disc and also climbing over Dad’s legs to get it. I need to learn that normally, climbing over people is Not Good, but when it comes to Disc work, it is O.K. This helps plant the seed for vaults when I’m older.
10 weeks. I’ve had my final jabs, which again I didn’t notice and the vet says I seem very fit and healthy, with a good strong heart. I know I’m good hearted, even if the other dogs don’t appreciate it! Then Mr Vet stuck a gurt big needle in and it hurt and I screamed. Something called microchip, Dad says ‘oh, no, can’t pretend we don’t know her now’ Also had different wormy cake – didn’t like it much. Dad has a new game, he has tied a puppy disc to a piece of string and he dangles it in front of me and I have to try and catch it. Does he think I’m a cat?
11 weeks. I can go out now. I went to a puppy class on Wednesday evening, my Sit,
Down and Recall is already as good as some dogs who’ve been going for weeks. At
home, Dad has been developing my hand signals. I will twist and spin when he flicks
his hand left or right. I can also do ‘roll-
4 months. Its something called Christmas. I’m going to stay with my Grandma in Devon; there will be 6 people and 9 dogs in total. I have to be on my best behaviour. Mum didn’t put a tree up at home; she says she doesn’t trust me. Me?? Christmas was good. I showed them all my training so far, and they were impressed. I went to a New Years Day Flyball party with Beano and Rigsby, and came third (out of 4) in the Special Speed Runs competition. The two who beat me were 7 and 5 months, and I beat the 13 year old. It was just like the grown ups races – except we only ran one way, and didn’t do the box, and there were no jumps, and no ball…
5 months. Puppy classes have started again, and Mum has found out about a ‘Heelwork to music/Freestyle’ class. Rigsby and I start next week. Mum and Dad’s background is very much Agility and Flyball, so they want to learn a bit about other disciplines to help us in our Freestyle Disc training.
