Page 30 - 9 Spring 2023 Newsletter

The Continuing Adventures

of

By Lisa McCorrie

meaningfully. Keesies are so food
orientated and eager to please,
making trainability as easy as can be
for us. They really can’t wait to show
off to you what they can really
achieve if we will but assist their
growth and range of activities. And
My exclamation last edition was that remember the added incentive of the
… “A Kees is, without a doubt, the club’s Versatility Awards to encourage
most intelligent and teachable dog I and award skill diversity beyond just
have ever encountered. I am sure ‘showing’.
this must be so of Kees in general; it Talking of Versatility Awards, an
can’t just be mine.” …I have addendum to my original article of
discovered has true foundation!
Spring 2022. It was not until I
I am excited to share with you entered them again this year, anew
the findings of Stanley Coren, a post Covid, it was revealed that,
psychology professor and neuro- rather than being a recognition of
psychological researcher - highly your Kees’ accomplishments each
acclaimed for his research and year, it is rather a rolling life
understanding of canine behaviour progression Award. This means that,
and the human-canine bond. In his whichever level you reach, your next
book “The Intelligence of Dogs”, of year’s achievements are added to the
130 breeds he tested, Coren previous year’s points, which stay
publishes his list of the top 100 most with you; so progressing at your own
intelligent and trainable breeds. pace up the ladder from Bronze until
Unsurprisingly the border collie you reach, on aggregate, the top
comes first, while our beloved level Platinum Award. So I
th
Keeshond is ranked equal 16 , right bemusedly discovered when my
alongside other collies! We fit under application this year was refused as
his 2 category of “Excellent working I had already reached the top
nd
dogs: Understanding of new Platinum level in my first attempt.
commands in 5 to 15 repetitions. So what is my Kees up to next? I’m
Obey first command 85% of the time so proud of Brody’s speedy
or better.”
progression in Rally, competing now
“NOT just a pretty face!” A proven at top level 6 and winning rosettes
smart cookie - now we have NO for most rounds. For this he has
excuse not to maximise and show off learned around 80! different moves,
their capabilities, stimulate their and it has been so enjoyable for both
intellect and expand their play of us. In considering which new
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