by Sassafras Lowrey as told to Sue Putt
Since Sirius was a small puppy, trick training has been a big part of what we have done together. She has always had a lot of drive and energy and we did a lot of low-impact foundation training in different sports such as rally, agility, scent work, etc. From an early age, she showed a strong passion and an aptitude for trick training.
I have written two trick training books ( Tricks In The City and Chew This Journal), and have toured nationally to teach about trick training, including this past fall at the Association of Professional Dog Trainer's National Conference. I love trick training, so it made sense to explore this sport. Sirius' talent and passion for the sport has driven my own involvement. We keep doing Trick Dog because Sirius truly loves the sport. She’s got a joy and passion that comes to life when she’s doing her tricks.
As Trick Dog grew as a sport, Sirius and I became more involved. We started with Do More With Your Dog (DMWYD)'s trick dog program (before AKC had one) - she earned her Novice Trick Dog title when she was five months old, and over the years has gone on to become the first Newfoundland to achieve the DMWYD Grand Champion Trick Dog Title. Once AKC's Trick Dog program started we began earning those titles as well. Sirius earned her Elite Performer (the highest AKC Trick Dog title) in 2020. She was the third Newfoundland to earn that title.
To participate in the AKC National Trick Dog Competition, dogs must already have the Elite Performer title. Sirius earned her Elite Performer title in 2020. We've entered the AKC’s Annual National Trick Dog competition for elite performer dogs every year since with different routines.
Sirius won the honor of being the #1 Newfoundland three years including this year. The routine that gave her the honor of #1 in breed for 2023 was "The History of the World.” She also had a second qualifying routine this year about Mary Puppins the babysitter. In past years' competitions, she's done the "History of the American Kennel Club;' a "Cooking Show;' and the story of Seaman the Newfoundland that traveled west with Lewis and Clark. Some of these videos can be viewed below.
From AKC's information sent to qualifiers: "The AKC Trick Dog competition has continued to grow steadily, with this year having more than 200 competitors and 68 breeds from 40 states and Canada that were judged by three judges.”
When I'm putting together a new trick routine for Sirius, I will have an idea for a story that would be fun to tell/perform together. Then I will make a list of what tricks she likes best. I like to pack as many of her favorite tricks into a routine as possible because her enjoyment is my highest priority. I'll piece those favorite tricks into the outline for the routine/story and highlight gap areas. This is where the routine starts to come alive in my mind and I'm able to make a list of other trick skills that we might not practice often, or that Sirius doesn't yet know. At that point, we start playing and experimenting with her learning those tricks. I have a very playful training style and as the tricks start coming together, I watch closely for how Sirius is engaging and am always looking for ways to incorporate her cheeky attitude and style into the routine.
At seven years old Sirius has overcome a lot of medical conditions. She had bilateral TPLO surgery to repair CCL tears in her knees five years ago. She made a full recovery, debuting in Rally thirteen weeks after surgery having fully graduated from rehab. As she has aged Sirius has struggled with a chronic periodic neck condition known to many as "newfie neck'' (believed by our vet specialist team to be a form of IVDD). We do a lot of physical therapy as prescribed by her veterinary physical therapist to keep her very fit and well-conditioned. Sirius' pain got worse in spring 2023. At that point we began working with a neurologist to help manage pain and get ahead of the flairs which had progressed and at their worst left my strong active dog completely debilitated and unable to move without extreme pain.
Life with Sirius is all about how we can give her the highest quality of life, and the most pain-free days. I let her do as many of the things she loves with minimal risk to her chronic conditions. Sirius isn't a dog who is happy just lying around. At seven years old she loves to run, play, and learn new skills. Thankfully Trick Dog is a flexible sport and we're able to avoid higher impact tricks while still letting Sirius do the things she loves.
Sirius' History Report
Sirius Presents: Early Work of the Newfoundland"
Reprinted from Newf Tide 3Q 2024
Listen to this article