Expert Trick Dog and New Agility Titles for Lyric

Glenna Spelrem and her Barbet, Lyric have recently earned the Novice through Expert Trick Dog Titles with the organization Do More With Your Dogs. We are thrilled to celebrate this accomplishment that represents the incredible relationship this pair have.

Some of the tricks they performed are captured in this collage and they include; mail carrier, barrel (ball) roll, play the piano, wave goodbye, wave poles, skateboarding, painting and scent detection.

"These titles not only represent a training achievement, but a dedication to the enrichment of your dog, and a symbol of the bond you have built through this process".

Glenna and Lyric have also been having fun in agility and in June they brought home two new titles to add the alphabet soup behind Lyric's name, Northrock's Dance With Me RA, NAC, ICC, NJC, TN-N, WV-I, S-HP-I, O-BR-I, RATO, DN, NS

Congratulations on your success!!! 

Please enjoy these two videos of Lyric running these NADAC courses.

Weavers:

Tunnellers:

Glenna and Lyric have a beautiful partnership and are an outstanding team  

We can't wait to see what they will get up to next!🎉

🎉

New CKC Novice Sprinter title for Lyric!

Congratulations to Lyric (Northrock's Dance With Me RA, O-TN-I, O-XBR-I, IAC, IACC, WV-I, RATN, NS) one of the Oreo and Sophie pups who earned her CKC Novice Sprinter title this weekend at the Alberta Lure Coursing Association event in Ardrossan, Alberta.  

Lyric is a speedy Barbet. Her last run was a fantastic 8.7 seconds! I could not be happier about the wonderful life her owner Glenna Spelrem has given her.  They are having so much fun together trying new events, and they make a fabulous team.

Lyric running the Novice Sprinter event.

Lyric Earns Her Novice Barn Hunt Title

Congratulations to Northrock's Dance With Me RA, O-TN-I, O-XBR-I, IAC, ICC, WV-I, HP-I, RATN owned by Glenna Spelrem who earned her Novice Barn Hunt title.


Lyric and Glenna had a fun, successful weekend at Badger Barn Rats barn hunt trial over the weekend of April 14th and 15th.  Their run Saturday in Novice - they qualified with a 1st in medium dogs, also High in Class. On Sunday morning in Novice - they also qualified with another 1st in medium dogs and High in Class, completing their Novice Title, RATN! They were able to move up to Open for the afternoon and happily they qualified with 1st in medium dogs and once again, High in Class! Yes, Lyric loves barn hunt! 

You can watch a video of Lyric doing Barn Hunt on Facebook 

Another performance title for Northrock's Dance With Me - Lyric

Northrock's Dance With Me RA, O-TN-I, O-XBR-I, IAC, ICC, WV-I, HP-I

Congratulations to Glenna Splerem and her Barbet Lyric on earning the final leg towards her CKC Rally Advanced title with a score of 99 and 2nd in class! I'm so proud of what you two have accomplished together. Lyric is from our Oreo x Sophie litter (MBIS GChEx Treebeard's Galileo CGN x URO1 UCD Ch Neigenuveaux Fleur d'Northrock WC CGN).  

This team has a ton of fun together and as you can see from the alphabet soup behind Lyric's name - this fast and fun Barbet has also earned several North American Dog Agility Council - NADAC titles.

Glenna and Lyric - agility practice

Glenna and Lyric - agility practice

Glenna and Lyric - Intro Extreme Barrel Racing 

Last month Lyric participated in her first Barn Hunt trial and earned a Q and 2nd place!  The Barbet is a very versatile breed and many enjoy performance sports.  I am so grateful for the wonderful life that Glenna gives Lyric - they sure are having a great deal of fun dancing together.

Glenna and Lyric (who really liked the judge LOL) at the Barn Hunt trial in October. 

New CKC Rally Title for Northrock's Dance With Me "Lyric"

To say that this past weekend was a success for Glenna Spelrem and her Barbet Lyric would be an understatement.   Friday's CKC Rally trials in Red Deer, Alberta saw Lyric earning her final qualifying leg for her Rally Novice title.  What was especially exciting was that Glenna and Lyric obtained a perfect score of 100 going HIC (High in Class).  We are so delighted with their performance.

Lyric and Glenna after Friday's trial.

However, this pair wasn't finished dancing yet. Glenna's own words capture the thrill of Saturday's achievement  

"...AND we danced!! Even though, part way through, my mouth was so dry my lips were stuck to my teeth and my heart felt like it was trying to get out! I'm more than over the moon! Lyric earned a 100 Rally Novice A High In Class today! But I was absolutely stunned and full to bursting with pride, when we were also presented with the Virginia Cummings Memorial Trophy for Highest Qualifying Score Rally Novice. What an amazing partner I have in Northrock's Dance With Me ~ Lyric! "

To cap off their exciting weekend, on Sunday, this dynamic team earned yet another score of 100 Rally Novice A High In Class.  What an incredible team.  Thank you Glenna for getting out there with Lyric and showing people what the Barbet is capable of.  I'm so proud of these two and so happy that they have such a beautiful relationship.  Lyric is from our Oreo x Sophie litter (MBIS GChEx Treebeard's Galileo CGN x UCD Ch Neigenuveaux Fleur d'Northrock WC CGN).

Gemma

It is with a very heavy heart that I post the news of Gemma’s passing. Last week I had to say goodbye to Gemma.  I was there with her when she came into this world and I am thankful at least that I could be with her when she left.  She died far too young.  She was diagnosed with blastomycosis and unfortunately any chance of her surviving was extremely unlikely.  Her family and I made the decision to help her pass peacefully and end her struggle…sometimes this is the last act of kindness we can show to our dogs.  My grief is still very raw.  

Many thanks to the wonderful vets who helped to care for Gemma and my love and thanks to the Griffith family who opened their hearts and home to Gemma this past spring.  

Gemma (CH Northrock Diamond in the Ruff CGN) 

February 7, 2014 to August 27, 2015.

Gemma new CKC Champion and CGN

CH Northrock Diamond In the Ruff CGN "Gemma"

I'm absolutely thrilled to share that this past July, at the Muskoka Kennel Club dog show, Gemma added the title of Champion to her name.

Gemma (Northrock Diamond In the Ruff) is out of Sophie (UCD CH Neigenuveaux Fleur D’Northrock WC CGN) by Oreo (MBIS GChEx Treebeard’s Galileo CGN).  In addition to finishing her championship, earlier in the month she also earned her Canine Good Neighbour title.  Gemma was shown to her championship by Peter Scott who always takes such good care of our dogs.  Congratulations and thank you to the Griffith family whom Gemma lives with for their support and love for our special girl.  

A New Move For Gemma

Some happy news here at Northrock.  Our wonderful pup Gemma (Northrock Diamond In The Ruff) has gone to live with another family.  We will certainly miss our happy-go-lucky girl but David and Nicola and their children do not live far from us and we will get to see Gemma regularly.  Not only will Gemma have two great kids to play with but she will also have another Barbet!  David and Nicola are the owners of Alfie, a Northrock puppy from the Mona and Obie litter.  We couldn’t be more pleased. 

Gemma is going to have a great life with her new family and we are delighted that they have opened their home and their hearts to our special girl.

Gemma and Alfie with humans Isobel, David and Nicola (Duncan had gone out before we remembered to get a photo).

Camping Trip to Bon Echo Provincial Park

We just got back from our annual camping trip with friends to Bon Echo Provincial Park.  This year we took Gemma (Northrock Diamond in the Ruff) along with us.  

There are lots of great hiking trails to explore.

Bon Echo is very dog friendly.  They have an off leash dog beach with a great water entry.  Gemma had a wonderful time playing with the other dogs and swimming in the lake.  Among the many trail options there is also an off leash exercise trail for the dogs to enjoy.

We rented canoes at the lagoon on Mazinaw Lake. From the canoe you can see the Aboriginal pictographs on the rock face that rises 100 meters above the lake. 

Picnic lunch on the big rock.

Hanging out with the girls at the campsite.  Gemma was so well behaved that it was easy to forget she is only 5 months old!

Roasting marshmallows and making smores around the campfire are a tradition.  Four families with a total of 8 kids ages 10 and under made for long fun filled days.  By the time campfire time rolled around Gemma was one tired puppy.

The Next Chapter Begins for the Oreo x Sophie Puppies...

It's hard to believe how quickly the time has passed for the Oreo x Sophie puppies.  Their 8th week was a busy one with many visits.  They had their appointment with a canine chiropractor, structural evaluations and a check-up at the vets.  Last Friday they turned 9 weeks old and two of the girls have left for their new homes.  We are so happy about where these puppies have gone and we look forward to hearing stories of their many adventures with their new families.

Violet has gone to live with Glenna and Keith in Alberta.  Her registered name is Northrock's Dance With Me and she is now called "Lyric".  

Lyric - en route to her new home.

Lily now lives in Kingston, Ontario.  She shares her home with Julie and Jamie and their three wonderful children.  Lily is now Northrock's Dare to Dreem and she goes by the name Sadie. 

Sadie is a delight to her new family and is settling in well.

Rose is still with us and is now Northrock Diamond in the Ruff.  We are calling her Gemma as it seemed that when the litter disbanded we ought to change her litter name too.  Gemma is a joy and a blessing and she will remain with us for the time being.

Oreo x Sophie Litter Update - 8 Weeks Old

The puppies were busy during the last two weeks. We have continued to have visitors to our home so the puppies are always meeting new people.  

We have also begun taking the puppies on excursions outside of the house.  They have gone on several car rides now where they have experienced riding together in a crate as well as riding alone in crates.  I'm pleased to say they are very good little travellers.

They have all had solo expeditions to another house where they experienced being away from their dam and litter mates in an unfamiliar environment. Happily they all walked into my mothers house  and quickly made themselves at home!

 

During their seventh week we temperament tested the litter which was a fun time for all involved.  We are delighted with how confident, curious and clever these little moppets are and are looking forward to seeing what adventures they will get up to with their new families.

The Barbet is in the Canadian Kennel Club's Sporting Group of dogs.  They were traditionally used as waterfowl retrievers and also hunted small game and upland birds.  Some Barbets are still used in this capacity today.  Sophie has her CKC Working Certificate.  In order to earn this title Sophie had to do two single retrieves on land and also two in the water.  The birds are thrown by a gunner out in the field and the dog is sent from the line to bring them back.   Ducks were used on all marks in Sophie's test but sometimes a test will have pigeons or chukars in the land portion of the test.  Preserving the Barbet's natural instincts is important to us at Northrock.  We expose all of our puppies to birds while they are with us so that we can see how they react to them.  We want to know how interested are they in the birds. Do they pick them up?  Will they retrieve them?  Happily all of the pups in this litter were interested in the duck wings and pigeons when exposed to them.

The puppies celebrated their 8 week birthday with a trip to a farm where they were able to run around, explore and meet some chickens.  It was a long car ride and they all did well on the ride and had fun checking out the new sights and sounds that country life has to offer.

Oreo x Sophie Litter Update - 6 Weeks Old

Socialization Period (5-16 weeks) and the Curiosity Period (5 -7 weeks) 

It’s been a busy time for the puppies here at Northrock.  The last two weeks have seen many changes in development for Oreo x Sophie’s little girls.  Their pen has expanded and the whelping box has been packed away.  There are lots of interesting things for the puppies to explore in their pen.  Mirrors, stools, toys, hanging objects, a pool filled with balls, a tunnel etc....  They are certainly enjoying their new space!

The pups have been taken outside for several excursions.  

They have mingled with the big dogs and hung out with our cat.  They have also had the opportunity to explore different rooms in the house.

“The more chances a puppy has to be properly exposed to something new during the critical socialization periods, the less bothered it will be throughout the rest of its life when confronted by other new or frightening things.” (Hastings and Rouse 2004:28)

The puppies still nurse from Sophie but they are also eating 3 meals a day that consist of ground meat and bone, organ meat, tripe and goats milk.  They are given raw meaty bones to gnaw on which helps to exercise their jaws, neck and shoulder muscles and ease their sore gums as their teeth continue to erupt.

The girls have all been given their first bath and blow dry this past week.  Here is a photo of Lily in the tub looking rather unimpressed with the experience.

Visitors continue to come over to help socialize the puppies and we welcome the opportunity to have the puppies meet an assortment of men and women and children of various ages. It’s been a great deal of fun helping Sophie to raise her three little girls.  Stay tuned for the next update of the Oreo x Sophie litter.

Hastings, P and E.A. Rouse, Editors. 2004. Another Piece of the Puzzle: Puppy Development. Oregon, Dogfolk Enterprises. 110p.

Oreo x Sophie Litter Update - 4 Weeks Old

The Transitional Period (14 days - 21 days)

Rose - 3 weeks

Lily - 3 weeks

Violet - 3 weeks

The Oreo x Sophie puppies have been busy doing lots of growing here at Northrock.  At four weeks of age they now range in size from 4 1/2 lbs to just over 5 lbs.   During their 3rd week so much seems to happen from one day to the next.  Their motor skills develop rapidly, eyes and ears are open and vision is far improved from what it was initially.  

It is delightful to watch how the pups increasingly engage one another in play, rehearsing pawing, biting and pouncing behaviours with one another and with their dam.  Sophie is very patient with them and gentle in the way she encourages them to be silly with her.  Watching their little tails wagging rapidly back and forth and hearing the little barks, yips and growls they emit never fails to bring a smile to my face.  I could sit and watch them interact with one another for hours on end.  

During their third week week we rotated various stuffed toys in their whelping box for them to snuggle up against and crawl over and around.  The puppies began to be able to eliminate on their own during this time and from very early on they moved away from where they were sleeping or nursing to pee.  

The Awareness or Identification Period (21 days to 28 days)

At three weeks of age the puppies moved from the guest bedroom upstairs down into the main living space in the house.  They are now in a larger puppy pen that is situated in what would normally be our dining room and is adjacent to our kitchen and living room.  

Here they are exposed to all the sights, sounds and smells of everyday household activities.  They have many more toys and objects with which to interact and these are changed around on a regular basis.  Visitors are welcome and the puppies are exposed to many people right up until the time they leave for their new homes.  The radio is on playing mainly classical and jazz.  We also have a few sound cd’s that we play that have the sounds of dog shows, airplanes, gun shots, etc... and these get played for the puppies as well.  

We have also introduced the potty box which is a designated space where the pups will eliminate.  We have found that using the potty box not only helps to keep the puppy pen clean but it is a tremendous aid in teaching the pups to have good bathroom habits.  Sophie has been a very doting mother, keeping her girls spotlessly clean and yesterday morning was the first time I found a poop in the puppy pen.  Gold star for Lily as she did it in the potty box.

Sophie has begun regurgitating food for her pups and they have shown an interest in what she is eating.  We introduced the pups to their first meal of solid food (ground turkey with bone mixed with goat’s milk) on March 7th and it was very well received!  We are very much looking forward to the adventures that will unfold for these puppies in the weeks ahead.

If you are interested in seeing lots of videos and photos of the Oreo x Sophie litter on a daily basis we invite you to like our Facebook Page and that way you won't miss any updates.