Laika Agility: That Dog Still Rocks!!

This is the only video I have of Laika, my 11 year old Eskimo, doing agility. She retired years before I got my video camera. Because I didn't have any vid of her doing agility, I took her out to the field and shot some footage. I chose the song carefully. Laika is very much like a basic car that was deeply loved. Laika came to me pretty banged up and abused, but she wound up being a great first agility dog and companion. She is retired to a cushy life as a house dog.

The old girl is up on blocks, but that dog still ROCKS!!

A Champion's Heart

The first time I saw her, she was a shaking white blob of fur in the back of a cage. Her first two years of life had been hard. Physical abuse and neglect haunted her as a puppy, and now, she was abandoned in a strange shelter. Her eyes told me it was more than she could bear. So, I adopted her.

After I got her home, I discovered how truly emotionally damaged my new dog was. She had been left alone for hours a day in her crate. Her owner only let her out early in the morning, before sunrise, and late at night, after sunset. She was afraid of daylight. Afraid of people. Afraid of noises. In fact, she was afraid, deathly afraid, of everything - except her crate.

Socialization of puppies is essential. No one cared enough to take this white pup to a puppy class. She had never been taken out and about and shown a beautiful world. Because of this, "out and about" became a world to fear.

But she was beautiful. A pure-bred American Eskimo Dog - all white and silky. She even came with registration papers. I had dreams for her. I wanted to train her and show her in agility. I told my vet of my future hopes for the shaking white dog. "Well," she said, "I've seen miracles happen."

People say love will cure formerly abused dogs. And while love is a vital ingredient, healing - as full as it can come to such a dog - is obtained only through positive training. I knew this, and so off to school went Laika, the white, shaking dog.

Through positive, love-based training, Laika's personality began to slowly unfurl. I discovered my dog was an athlete. She was totally devoted to her family. She wore her emotions on her sleeve, and she had an incredible sense of humor and mischief.

Training results weren't obtained overnight. We watched as other dogs who started with Laika went on to achieve success in the show ring. But we were a determined team, Laika and I. We spent hours upon hours working, training, bonding and healing.

And finally, three and a half years later, Laika received her first title - a novice title in agility. It's not much, really, in comparison to most other dogs. They zip through their novice titles with only a little fanfare or recognition of the achievement. But for us, it's recorded evidence of one dog's triumph over adversity. It's three initials after her name - Laika of Deepfork NAJ - that prove the power of love.

I am extraordinarily proud of my white dog, and you'll have to forgive me if I brag a bit over this little title. I know what she's had to overcome just to face the world daily, and then to think she had enough love for me and love for the sport of agility to rise even further to achieve the three ribbons that represent the three little letters - NAJ (Novice Agility Jumpers). Well, let me just say I wish I had half the courage my dog does.

And, my experience as her owner has made me a better trainer. I am a more sensitive trainer - more in tune with my dogs. Laika has taught me - more than any other dog I have owned or trained - the importance of patience, love and gentleness in training.

When I looked into the eyes of the shaking blob of white fur stuck in the cage of the shelter, I knew what few could see. That inside that fearful dog beat the heart of a champion.

She's never proven me wrong.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• agility
• American
• Eskimo

[paspax]

Fantastic story, Beautiful dog.

You're both WINNERS !!

[agilitymach]

Thanks. :)

[agilitymach]

Thanks. :)

[agilitymach]

Thanks guys. She's a great girl.

[rallyongirl]

What a beautiful dog with the most amazing eyes.

She is special you can just tell :)

[Bcgoldenagility]

Wow Kristin! She looks awesome!Im impressed!

[SheltieHair]

What a cutie! She runs like a pup, still :D

[ReddAKCbeagle14]

Wow! She rocks! She's amazing!!!!