A Pile of Kerry Blue Terriers

Text by Janet Joers
Pictures by David Simerly
Copyright © 2003 Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation

Here's one for the record!

Imagine a "pile" of 11 Kerries and 1 Airedale obediently remaining on a Down-Stay for many long minutes, almost touching each other, males with males (at least three with a history of fighting), females with females. "Ah ha!" you say. They must be thoroughly trained obedience dogs. Not so! None, to my knowledge, had an obedience title. These were the show and pet Kerries who turned out for the annual KBTCNC Picnic & Field Day last Sunday, and who participated in one hour (yes--only ONE HOUR) of training from the guest dog behaviorist and trainer, Alon Geva.

It began with simple Heel, Sit, Down, and Stay exercises. It was obvious that many dogs were not completely accustomed to these commands, or were not in the mood to do them. Alon worked the class and gave each of us individual assistance, varying the exercises and giving the dogs plenty of opportunity to misbehave and be corrected. I was surprised at how well my Jazz responded, and the improvement she and the other dogs showed early on in the training. But when Alon had us line up our dogs on a Down-Stay, drop the lead, and walk away 10 paces, I thought he'd lost his mind! (You just don't DO that with a bunch of hot-blooded Kerries!)

When this exercise passed without incident (whew!), he had us arrange our dogs in a circle on a Down-Stay and again drop the lead and walk away. He chose volunteers, one at a time, to walk among the dogs, and had the owners immediately go to their dogs and correct them if they got up.

When this exercise passed without incident (I don't know about anyone else, but I was getting a little tense!), he had us move our dogs in a tighter circle--a "heap" really, with barely "stepping" room between them, and repeat the procedure. When I dropped Jazz's lead this time, I remember thinking, "OK, Jazz. Whatever happens, defend yourself!" The owners backed away, and I for one looked in awe at all these Kerries gazing placidly at their masters, seemingly oblivious to the other dogs. That's when I realized that Guinness was laying next to his brother and mortal enemy, Jazzman. (Those are the two who had to be kept constantly separated at my house, and I have scars to show why.) But Guinness had a goofy grin on his face and Jazzman's eyes were riveted on his owner. No problems now. Luckily, there were plenty of people with cameras, so this very special event in Kerrydom is recorded on film.

I might add that all dogs were on correction collars, and a few had prong collars. All were well under their owner's control at all times. I might also add that an activity like this one would be foolhardy (if not dangerous) in the hands of someone less experienced in dog training or in the breed than Alon. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would not have believed it.

And if you're thinking that somehow these were a bunch of milktoast Kerries, banish the thought! Five of them were "mine"--Jazz and four of her puppies, now 16 months old--and "milktoast" is definitely not in their vocabulary!

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