Tuesday, 3 January 2012

Teaching my Italian Greyhounds to "Stand"

Why should I want to teach my Italian Greyhound to stand?

Dervisch Absolutely Irresistible on 
her´s debut in the dog show.

There are many occasions when standing is preferable to sitting or lying down.
  • Rain and muddy puddles outside
  • Check-up at the Veterinarian
  • Groomung your Italian Greyhound
  • In the Dog Show ring
I have not been to good with this kind of training from my 2 Italian Greyhounds were puppies. But its never to late :) And the greyhounds love to do all kind of training and its good brain excercis.

To teach you Italian Greyhound the stand, I use food in the right hand with the lead in the left hand. I tell my greyhounds to sit, and quickly go standing beside my Italian Greyhound so that her´s is on my left side. Then I place my food hand at the dog´s nose. Hold the treat with the palm of my hand facing the ceiling. I drop my hand slightly below the dog´s eye levee so she can see the treat in my hand.

As soon as my Italian Greyhound sees the food in my hand, I slowly move my food hand forward about 30 to 40 cm as I say "Stand". My dog will reach her head forward to get the food and then, as my hand moves further forward, she will stand up to follow the treat.
As soon as the Italian Greyhound is standing on all four feet, I stop moving my hand, release the for and praise lavishly :)

I do not put any pressure on the lead in my hand in order to help the Italian Greyhound to stand. If I do, the dog will normally resist my, and, in doing so, she will pull back away from me and remain seated instead of standing. I only try to use my food hand to get my Italian Greyhound into the standing position. My food hand is slow and deliberate, and my left hand is still and not attempting to guide my dog in any way. If I have trouble remembering not to pull forward with the lead, I just drop the lead and work with my food hand only.

I now practice in short periods of time, with all of my enthusiasm and treats :)


Monday, 2 January 2012

Living with your Italian Greyhound

The Italian Greyhound, like the Whippet and Greyhound, are one of the easiest breeds to groom. Like motst short-coated dogs, the Italian Greyhound does not require much time to grooming. Although the Italian Greyhound will shed, the amount will be minimal if the coat is kept in good condition. The grooming tools and supplies required to keep your Italian Greyhound clean, trim, and neat are easily obtainable.
Italian Greyhound Lisa is enjoying 
summer at Lofoten islands

The grooming table is on of the most important tools in the grooming process. It becomes a safe place to cut your dog´s nails and whiskers, brush his teeth, and clean his ears. Many show enthusiasts can use the table both indoors and outdoors as a convenient place to prepare their dogs for the show ring.
Whether you´re preparing your dog for a show, an obedience trial, or for company, a thorough grooming always starts with brushing.

A regular soft brush or a gentle rubdown with your fingers will do the trick in removing loose, dead skin and hair. My Italian Greyhounds, Lisa and Selma, seem to really enjoy the brushing and it lends a lustrous shine to their coats as well.

Friday, 30 December 2011

Italian Greyhound Selma making her dogshow debute



Dervisch Absolutely Irresistible ( Dervisch Panpepato - CH Dervisch Wear Diamonds ) making her show debute yesterday by winning res-CAC



Selma with owner Geirr Tangstad-Holdal 

Tuesday, 17 May 2011

National Day of Norway


The Norwegian Constitution Day is the National Day of Norway and is an official national holiday observed on May 17 each year

Friday, 6 May 2011

Italian Greyhound Evelyn (Bo-Bett Magical Mystical Mouse Satori)

Evelyn...almost six months old


Am.Ch. Bo-Bett's Minnie Mouse

Pedegree for Bo-Bett Magical Mystical Mouse Satori



She is bred by Carol Harris of Bo-Bett Farms, and owned by Shirley Lesher, Satori Italian Greyhounds. She a half sister to the current #1 Italian Greyhound for both breed and all breed points in the USA. She comes from the kennel with the all time top producing IG sire in the US (Ch. Tekoneva's Dario), who is also her grandfather.

Evelyn will begin her show career this summer.

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Dervisch Absolutely Irresistible

(All photo taken the 20th of April - sunset
Klikk på bildet for å se større versjon/
Just click on the photo to see a bigger version)





Monday, 18 April 2011

Yebelli's Inyara, All breed show Västerås

Yebelli's Inyara
(SE UCH Py's Giovanni X SE FI UCH Dervisch Haze Of Smoke)
took her first CC, BB-2 from junior class at the KC all breed show in Västerås, Sweden this weekend.
Just beaten of the Top winning IG in Sweden last year.

Photo: Håkan Häll
(click on photo for bigger version)

Sunday, 17 April 2011

Italian Greyhound - the favorite of the royalty

The Italian Greyhound carries an admirable heritage as the favorite of royalty and the privileged upper class. Even during ancient times, the loyal little sighthound was admired for its beauty, charm, elegance and entertaining disposition. The breed became a favorite pet among Europe´s royal families.

Frederick the Great of Prussia, Queen Victoria, King Charles VIII, Anne of Denmark, Queen Maud of Norway and Cathrine the Great of Russia were just some of its famous supporters.

Mannequin's Quello Quando Quando

Mannequin's Quello Quando Quando ("Pluto")
Born December 13, 2009 - father: Ch Caeles Magical Mr Mistoffelees, mother: Ch Hesve's Beauty - bred by Hans Fuchs - owned by Per-Arne and Johnas Rudberg.
First CAC and BOS at Västerås National April 17, 2011.

Picture taken by Camilla Fritz.

Saturday, 16 April 2011

Italian Greyhound - Ancient Ancestors


The Italian Greyhound is from very ancient lineage. The breed´s ancestors were, in all likelihood, first know in Egypt, where they were depicted in many great works of art. There were paintings and carvings of tiny greyhound types on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs.

Friday, 15 April 2011

NKK international Bergen

NKK international Bergen, 09.04.2011 (2+5) judge: Arne Foss

BOS: Int Nord NL Ch NV-08-09 AmterdamW-10 Biscotti Esclusivo
BOB: Int* Nord SE Ch DKV-10 Talata Yvett

Sunday, 10 April 2011

Italiensk mynde-treff Ekeberg, Oslo the 10th of April 2011

(klikk på bildet for større utgave/click direct on the photo for a bigger version)






Dervisch Absolutely Irresistible in the front



Dervisch Absolutely Irresistible











Dervisch Absolutely Irresistible