Reactions to Ivermectin?
Recently, a university research facility has identified the Y chromosome of the Bernese to be similar to the Collie. As you may know Collies are sensitive to Ivermectin, an ingredient for preventing heartworm disease. The researchers would like to know if any Bernese has had reactions to Ivermectin. Usually, the dose would have to be abnormally large to create an adverse reaction. There is no need to be worried about continuing to give normal levels of Ivermectin to Bernese. The small amount of Ivermectin in the usual monthly dose would not normally create a reaction. One of the researchers has asked me to post this informal request to the Berner community. If you have experienced any reactions to Ivermectin, please let me know. Private replies are welcome. I'll post further information as it becomes available. Marjie
Re: Fun and Games and a Brag
That's an accomplishment worth congratulations!! I heartily second Mary-Ann's point that there is nothing like the relationship you build with a Berner by giving them jobs. The training you and your Berner do together builds an understanding that is almost beyond description. From the second VCD2 to the newest, Job Well Done. Dunbar (VCD2, UD, DD, JHD, CGC) is rejoicing from the Rainbow Bridge and cheering all you working dogs. Marjie
Re: Rally Obedience 2004
Susan (co chair of 2003 specialty) was very supportive of Rally in Long Beach. She helped immensely with set up and anything else I asked, (remember the sod incident ?) Susan even managed to show her dog in obedience, all the while running around like a crazy woman to make sure everything was perfect for the attendees. How she kept sane, I'll never know! As I understand, she is not a member of the 2004 committee and so would not have had any input into the 2004 agenda. Including her name in this discussion was inappropriate. Marjie Pat Tackett wrote: Marjie, Those were my arguments with the 2004 Show committee, I was blasted out of the water though for even quizzing about it being offered. Maybe others can sway Cindy Still, Helen Thornton, Denise Dean and Susan Henderson minds about being open to offer Rally Obedience -- they all say there is not enough time to offer it :-( Pat T. Texas
Re: hot weather haircut?
Sterling gets the same thing that Flash does. After his summer trim, I see him laying on the hearth rocks to absorb the coolness. I add one area, however. The, ah, undertail area also gets shaved. Sterling has a very heavy coat and as he gets older, that area isn't as daisy-fresh (apologies to Maria) as it was. Shaving helps with keeping things clean :-) Marjie [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Because of Chicago areas high humidity and temperatures, plus the fact I do not have air conditioning at home, I have Flash's belly and inner thighs shaved in the summer so that when he lies on the tile floors or the damp soil, he has as much skin surface contacting the cool area. I also comb and brush out as much undercoat as I possibly can, leaving the outer coat to protect his skin from sun and bugs. I used to do the same thing with all my heavy coated sled dogs in the summer.
Re: Rally Obedience 2004
Hopefully, Rally will be a titling venue by the time of the 2004 Specialty. It was recommended by the AKC Obedience Advisory Committee. The best guesses so far is April of 2004 when it will officially happen. The current thinking is that it will be a whole separate venue from Obedience. Of course, all of this might change. It was the biggest obedience event for the 2003 Specialty and was financially quite successful. Marjie (AKC Obedience Judge for non-regular classes. Huge Rally fan!)
Re: [berneragility] 2005 Specialty
I'm sure the club would really appreciate the dollars a multi-day agility trial would pull in. IMHO, it doesn't seem practical for a specialty event, though. Agility trials are very labor intensive, as I'm sure you know! There's so many other things going on at a specialty that most people want to attend. I don't think you'd get many volunteers. You would have to look outside the club for workers. Don't forget it would be during the week, too. I do like the idea of opening the trial to other breeds, after all Berners are accepted. It could still be a 1 day trial, but it would be a longer day. I think it would pay for itself and maybe even make some money. Marjie ed mcclure wrote: Personally, I think one agility day just for Berners and then perhaps two open days is a great idea. The facility is already rented, at least one judge is already there, and yes, agility trials are great money makers. The site would have to be either in a large populated area or one that had several motels though, to hold all the Berner people there for the specialty as well as outside agility folks. Perhaps it could help offset the cost of offering a full tracking test (TD/TDX/VST) and a second day of obedience. Even though I had to pull from obedience in WV because my dog became ill, I thought two obedience days was great. Our agility trial this past winter gave the club a phenominal profit !!! With the preferred classes being out east, I'm sure the Berner agility entries will increase. My biggest concern would be that some performance people do not like to do more than one venue a day - for example, many don't like to do agility and obedience on the same day. I am OK with it, but I think we would have to find out how the majority of those that do both feel about it. Probably the agility and obedience should not be offered on the same day(s). The same especially holds true of tracking, which in my experience is more draining on a dog than obedience or agility.I can't speak for carting.What do others that do both agility and obedience think? Does the BMDCA need the $$ that an open agility trial would bring in? Is it worth the extra work? Denise McClure Kato's Jester VCD1 OA OAJ AXJP Brighteye Shooting Star TD
Re: please re-post NY herding clinic info
For those who missed it, here it is again. I have additional information, contact me off-list if you want more. Marjie HERDING CLINIC FOR LOOSE-EYED UPRIGHT DOGS Dates: Fri Aug 1 and Sat Aug 2 Location: Argyle NY (near Saratoga) Clinician: ANN WITTE For more information or questions please contact Sarah Todd (she will be away/unavailable by phone or email June 6-19) phone 518-854-9704 email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Note that Bernese Mtn Dogs are loose-eyed, upright herding dogs. That means that they don't crouch when they herd or use their gaze to control stock. This is a rare opportunity to learn herding with someone who knows how a Berner works. Marjie
herding lesson in NY
HERDING CLINIC FOR LOOSE-EYED UPRIGHT DOGS Dates: Fri Aug 1 and Sat Aug 2 Location: Argyle NY (near Saratoga) Clinician: ANN WITTE For more information or questions please contact Sarah Todd (she will be away/unavailable by phone or email June 6-19) phone 518-854-9704 email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Note that Bernese Mtn Dogs are loose-eyed, upright herding dogs. That means that they don't crouch when they herd or use their gaze to control stock. This is a rare opportunity to learn herding with someone who knows how a Berner works. Marjie
Re: training spirited puppies
The best puppy training book around is Building Blocks for Performance by Bobbie Anderson Tracy Libby, published by Alpine Press. She stressed play training and building a relationship with your dog, its just great. Although its geared to training a puppy, its methods can be used for an older dog, too. Don't be put off by Performance in the title, its for every pup. Marjie Beverly Arnold wrote: I would love to read about training methods that work with spirited puppies. snip
Anonymous donor
To the anonymous donor for Dunbar's vet bills, Your act of selfless kindness and generosity has touched me beyond measure. I wish I could thank you in person. Such generosity given without expectation or even the possibility of thanks is the purest form of kindness. It helps restore my faith in the basic goodness of humanity. It will take a very long time for my heart to heal after Dunbar's passing. This wonderful act has helped immeasurably. Marjie -missing Dunbar
Re: Frontline
Here in tick country USA (aka the Sierra Nevada foothills) I use a product called Preven-tic. Its a collar that looks like a flea collar and has been very successful. Its specific for ticks. I write the date I first use it on the collar so I don't forget to change it as its only good for 3-4 months. It can be ordered from some catalogs or bought at the vets office. Marjie -missing Dunbar
Re: AKC CHF Malignant Histiocytosis Fundraiser
A few people have asked to donate something in Dunbar's name. The Hutchinson Histiocytosis study sounds so promising. If you would like to honor my Dunbar, please consider a donation to this raffle. Besides, you might win one of these gorgeous paintings. Marjie Missing my Dunbar, sleep in peace my sweet baby boy
Re: Dunbar needs your help
Dunbar made a valiant effort. Thank you everyone who tried to help me save him. Tonight I made that decision we, who are involved with lives destined to be much shorter than our own, must inevitably make. Goodnight my sweet baby boy, my Dunbar, my D Dog, my friend. Swiss Stars Dances with Wolves, UD, OA, OAJ, TD, (VCD2), DD, JHD Dec 1, 1994 - Mar 10, 2003 Marjie
Dunbar needs your help
Dunbar needs your thoughts, prayers and any other hopes you can spare for getting hom well. He has been in kidney failure and has been in the hospital for 5 days. Until today he has been getting better on fluids and antibiotics. He is very much sicker today, his attitude is much worse. Please send him all the healing thoughts you can muster. I just can't lose him yet, I need your help. Keep those thoughts coming, please don't stop sending them. He's my beautiful 8 year old baby boy. Thank you, Marjie
Re: Rally
Susan Berlin wrote: Okay, I give up: what's a Rally? Rally is a relatively new sport we can participate in with our dogs. Although its called Rally Obedience, it should be called 'Just Fun.' The main feature of Rally, sometimes called Rally-O, is that the handler may talk, encourage, clap or whatever throughout the performance You can't touch the dog or use food or toys, but praise is considered a requirement and a happy, brisk, enthusiastic performance will get you a high score (and more fun.) The Rally course consists of a series of numbered signs arranged in a series with space between them. The team performs the behavior printed on the sign and then goes to the next sign. Rally excersizes are based on all the 'doodling' you do in training. Things like spirals, weaving through cones, left about turns, 360 turns, and all the familiar obedience behaviors are used. The course is laid out by the judge and is different for each trial. Handlers are given a course layout and are allowed to walk the course and plan their performance before the trial starts. The judge does not give any commands other than to start. Performances are timed, but the time is oly used for breaking ties. Marjie
This list
I love this list. Here's where I can root for Stevie, learn about the health risks hiding behind pedigrees, find out about all the work that people are doing to further the well being of our dogs. I can hear about the triumphs and tribulations of training puppies, managing teenage boys with raging hormones and cheer the precious veterans who have made it to old age. This list is pretty much a microcosom of humanity. There are a lot of really great people and a few not so great ones. I've heard some people have been frightened off this list off by some of the personal agendas expressed. Thats the very worst thing that could happen and what saddens me the most. A place where we can all exchange our knowledge is so beneficial to everyone. With all its warts, this list is vital to the Bernese Mountain Dog. After all, this list is where I learned my dog's feet smell like Fritos :-) Marjie
Re: FW: Health Costs
Pat Long Paul Dangel wrote: Marjie - a very happy birthday to Sterling, you give him some hugs and bellyrubs from me! I'm sorry your simple birthday post caused you so much angst! Pat Long, a babysat Gabby, ( Luther) Berwyn PA Thank you, Pat. You are, as ever, the voice of reason. I suppose other stories will be created about me, the reasons known only to those who do so. I thought my birthday greetings to my 9 year old sweet boy were pretty innocuous. I guess others took exception. Marjie, Dunbar, Sterling, Valentine and puppy Steamer
Re: Sterling is 9
Mary, Thanks for sharing my joy for Sterling's 9th birthday and his continued health. It has been an honor these past 5 years to care for him, be responsible for his upkeep and vet care. and to give you your girl Valentine as a gift. What is her full name? Her name is Swiss Stars Bern-Heart and she is also a joy as she is Sterling's daughter, a stud fee puppy. I had high hopes for her, a Versatility dog. It was so disappointing when her OFA results came back with a dysplastic elbow (degenerative joint disease.) Although she can't run without pain, she is the perfect couch potato. With accupuncture and meds she's doing well. She's my wonderful little Swiss Miss, no matter her elbows. Her litter back agreement could not be fulfilled as it turned out she had cysts on her ovaries. I was quite naive 7 years ago and would not enter into such a contract now. Guess I shouldn't be surprised though, I've always known Bobbie to be a very generous person. : ) How good that you have found a mutually beneficial partnership in your breeding efforts. Bernerly, Mary Jeff Mary Chapdelaine SnoBear Berners N. California, USA Thanks for being 'Bernerly.' I'll be happy to share how Sterling is doing, should anyone inquire. Marjie
Sterling is 9
Happy belated birthday to my Sterling, Ch. Duntiblae Foreign Exchange, CD, CGC, TDInc. . He's a little stiff in the rear after a nice long snooze, but get the leash out and he's all puppy again. Without a doubt, he's the most cuddly, loveably sweet Berner there is. Ster is an extraordinary Therapy dog, knowing when a patient needs a little more time, or just needs a good laugh at his antics. He can spot and steal a patient's stuffed toy in a split second. He's a little goofy, a little pesty and all wonderful. Sterling earned his CD at the tender age of 8 with 3 straight scores in the 190s. At his second trial, I heard the judge chuckle pretty boy when we started heeling. Thank you, thank you Diana Cochrane for breeding such a wonderful Berner amabassador. He is what every Berner should be; pure joy. Marjie
Re: scrapple
Rhona Vantine wrote: Could someone tell a Brit. what scrapple is You don't want to know!! Its just plain gross, totally, absolutely gross. Gross beyond words You know about haggis? Its grosser than that! Marjie (grossed out :-} )
Re: Lots of Berner wishes needed!
Hi Claire, My Reddy dog went through something similar. I had taken her for a 2 year post chemo checkup (done every 6 mos.) The vet did a needle biopsy on a lump which came out benign. After the 45 min dirve home, she couldn't walk. She wouldn't get out of the car and when I lifted her out, she just collapsed and could not walk. After 6 hours (and a mad rush back to the vets) she was standing, although shaky. After 4 days she was back to normalThere was nothing found as a cause, even after numerous tests and exams with all sorts of specialists. Good luck, we're all sending healing thoughts. Please keep us posted. Marjie
Re: Attracting aggression from other dogs?
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: All dog-dog interactions are much less complicated for a neutered dog (and less nerve wracking for you as well!) so unless you're growing Duncan up as a potential stud dog, I'd suggest neutering him sooner rather than later. For the most part this is very true. However, having a neutered male doesn't always gurarantee you peace from other intact males. Some neutered males seem to have some sort of 'eau de bitch' about them and actually attract the attentions of intact males. My neutered male takes ***great exception*** to being mounted by intact males. I watch every interaction very carefully. I'm the only one that can keep my dogs safe. Marjie
Re: harness
From: Andrea Brin [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Berner-L [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 1:24 PM Subject: harness has anyone used a harness that inhibits pulling with their dog. i am not talking about a halti or gentle leader, just an old fashioned no pull harness? thanks andrea Pulling on the leash is one of my least favorite doggie habits (lunging is the other.) Here's a brilliant deterrent that doesn't need any special harness. With a 6 soft leash make a 'suitcase.' Lay the leash (still attached to the collar ring) along the dog's spine and hold it in place just above where the back legs meet the torso. Reach around with your other hand and bring the leash under the body and up under the leash where you're holding it at the spine. The leash will make a twist when it comes up under that point. Presto!!! a no-pull harness. When the dog pulls the leash will tighten around the loin and they'll stop pulling. This method was developed by a very wonderful British trainer; Sylvia Bishop. If you ever get a chance to take a lesson from her, drop everything and go! Just be prepared with your Kevlar vest, she launches some sharp arrows at the human team members. Don't ask how I know this :-) Marjie
Re: Altered Classes
Rose Tierney wrote: . Personally I would love to see more altered dogs in the showring as I believe a breeder can be measured for the quality of their pet dogs as well:-) You can see lots of altered dogs in the show ring. They're in the agility ring, the obedience ring, the draft ring, the herding arena. :-) Marjie
Re: gonna get bigger? - size vs longevity
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Darwin, anyone?? Intuitively this would make sense, as smaller and more moderate sized breeds in general tend to live longer. Living longer doesn't always fit with the Darwinian model. The goal in Darwin's terms is to produce as many offspring as possible. That's what makes you survive, not the longest life. Don't know how this fits with big boned Bernese, but hey, I was trained as an Anthropologist! Its just plain interesting. :-) Marjie
Re: Berners who can turn tricks
Weave around and thru your legs (tricky if you're short) Answer the phone (pick up a childs toy phone when you say 'ring.' Add a bark for more flash.) Go harvesting (put toy food into a basket) Tell a story (keep on barking) Marjie
List of Genetic Diseases
This interesting site http://www.inkabijou.co.uk/genetic.htm contains a list of 148 purebred dogs and the genetic diseases that may effect them. It is aimed at the potential buyer. Marjie
Re: lymphosarcoma
Hi Wendi, I'm so very sorry to hear the news about Miss Kitty. Please accept my sincerest wishes for her comfort and peace and for yours in this difficult time. Kitty (and Dunbar's) litter has had some significant health difficulties. A littermate sister died of malignant histiocytosis at age 3 or 4. A littermate brother died of lymphosarcoma at age 5. Both the brother and sister underwent extensive chemo and surgical interventions. The protocols were not successful. Their sire died of lymphosarcoma at age 7. I have lost track of the other littermates and their dam. She was sent to a breeder in a Scandinavian country and I have had no response from them. Several littermates were rehomed due to temperament issues. Liver involvment is indeed a signal of serious illness. Miss Kitty was the luckiest dog on earth when you accepted her into your heart. I know your decision for her remaining days will be made with tenderness and empathy and will be the right one for her. Please know that she is in heaven while she is here on earth, because she is with you. Marjie (and Kitty's brother, Dunbar)
Re: lymphosarcoma
My apologies. That message was to have been sent just to Wendi. Marjie
Re: Gentle Leader head collar; Digest Search
We are so lucky to have Hugh! The amount of work he has done for Berner-l and Berner community is amazing, just amazing!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, You're the best! Marjie
Re: Soft treats
The very best and easiest treat I've used is string cheese. Its a miracle dog training substance! It sticks to things (like go-out posts,) it can be shoved into a binder clip (for heads up heeling,) its not gross to dangle from your mouth (for fronts,) its also not gross when spitting a reward (also for fronts or a good finish,) it doesn't mess up your scent articles (when teaching scent discrimination.)Its not bad for the dogs, or for you when you accidentally swallow some. Its not too expensive when you get the gigantor size from Costco and it keeps well in the fridge. Marjie
Re: newcomer with questions
Jeff Mary Chapdelaine - SnoBear berners wrote: In April the BMDSC will be hosting the National Specialty Dog Show. All the info. is on their website. Actually, Mary the host of the 2003 Specialty is a consortium, not a club. We haven't seen you at a Specialty for quite some time. Perhaps you'd like to volunteer at this one since its so close, we can always use the help. Marjie
getting a sick dog to eat
There are a few high calorie products on the market that are designed for sick/weak dogs. I think they have a large amount of sucrose and protein concentrate and are easily digested. I gave one (called 'STAT') to my old girl, Reddy, when she was recovering from her chemotherapy treatments and couldn't eat anything. Its a liquid, so I could get it down with a syringe. I ordered it from a catalog. I'll try to look up which one, if anyone needs it. Marjie
a great training session
I don't ususally tell stories on the list, but what Dunbar did today was just amazing. We were out training in the morning, practicing scent articles while waiting for a track to age. We were using the single bar set reserved just for training. Dunbar tends to really mess up the articles when we use the single bars, he scatters and knocks them around with his feet. When he messed them up today, three of them became tangled together, one right on top of the other. The scented one (the one he was supposed to retrieve) was on the bottom. He sniffed around the group of articles and located the correct one. He hesitated as he realized where it was. I watched in amazement at what he did next. He nosed the top article off the pile of three. He nosed the second one off the bottom one. He picked up the one on the ground (the correct one) and returned it to me as I stood in total astonishment. Don't tell me dogs can't plan things! Marjie
Herding clinic in PA.
Herding Clinic with Chris Davies, hosted by Y2K9s Dog Sports Club Date: Saturday, December 28 Time: 9am to ??? Where: New London PA What: Beginners to JHD/PT level approximately. Includes: Lunch, handouts, dog working sheep, humans working livestock to understand what dog has to do! I know this is really last minute, but due to torrential rain last week which caused us to cancel the original 12/21 date, there are now a few open spots for working dogs. For more information, please contact Kim Hauser [EMAIL PROTECTED] ph 215-860-8882
Another Bernese UD! Blatant brag!
Today Dunbar finished his UD. He was happy and bouncy in the ring and did everything with pizazz. He is the best, most perfect dog in the whole wide world. But then, I'm not at all biased. He will be 8 years young on Dec 1. He is now Swiss Stars Dances with Wolves, VCD2, UD, DD, JHD, CGC (VCD2=CDX, OA, OAJ, TD; Versitile Companion Dog level 2) My brag check is on its way to my local no kill shelter. Marjie Cherry
Re: okay -- now what?
***I think it has been assumed that breeders know buyers, in most cases, will not return their dogs. That they offer a written contract and guarantee making return a condition of refund, does not in my mind mean necessarily a Breeder is perpetrating a scam, but rather that they are stating up front the limits of their obligation. Additionally I realize they are, in some cases, hedging on buyers' soft hearts. Regardless, the conditions of the guarantee are accepted by the buyer. The idea of a scam (certainly not a good word in conjunction with a responsible breeder) comes to mind since guarantees can be used to influence a buying decision. If the guarantee is used to coerce the sale, the seller knowing its unlikely that the new owner will return the dog, its less than wonderful. Marjie
Re: Congrats 6 month old TD!
Clark Kris Osojnicki wrote: Anyone know of a Berner who earned her TD younger than 6 1/2 months?? Don't know about a younger one. I know of a mother/son combination that passed their TDs on the **same** day!! That's gotta be a first! Marjie
Re: Scared of the leash
You've gotten some very excellent advice. I'd add one more piece. Once my pups are used to the leash (actually, I do it from day 1) I keep a line on my pup at all times she is not in the crate or xpen. The line is just a light cord the size of a shoelace and about 4 ft long, with no knots or loops. (Remember a pup must be under supervision at all times.) The line allows me to implant in the puppy brain that when I call she is obliged to come. So, when she is playing with a toy or playmate and I call her, I can entice with a treat and apply slight pressure to make sure she responds. Call happily and trot backwards. Make sure you give another treat when she returns to you. I do this (like Mary-Ann) a zillion times a day. Puppy brains are little sponges. They learn anything you teach them--or that they teach themselves. Which one would you choose :-) ? Marjie Dunbar VCD2 (CDX, OA, OAJ, TD) DD, JHD, CGC Ch. Sterling, CD, TDInc., CGC Valentine, TDInc., CGC Steamer (the Toller, just a pup)
Re: dog w/ a pacing gait
Any thoughts on what might cause the pacing and anything else I can do to discourage it in obedience heeling? The only structural problem I know of causing a dog to have a tendancy to pace is a short back (b/c dog knows front and rear feet tend to hit at a trot.) I had the great opportunity to attend a seminar given by Andrea Vaughan this weekend. (Andrea is well know in obed. circles, she earned 5 200's in a row at a national competition.) I asked her about pacing. She basically said she doesn't see it as a problem and doesn't work to train it out. She felt the problem was so difficult to erase, it wasn't worth any pressure on the dog. The only suggestions she did have were to take frequent, random right turns or steps to the right when heeling. Marjie and Dunbar, a pacer from day 1
