"Lobo" UD, Sch I, Ag II Demo Service Dog A Virtual Demonstration 1989 - 2000 (Tribute)

Lobo is a black male German Shepherd Dog born 11/8/89. The initials after his name are his working titles. He also enjoys other activities. Since many have requested it, I have included a pedigree. He is an ambassador of the breed and a wonderful companion and family member. For another action photo collection, see Lobo's buddy "Schatze".

The goal of this page is to demonstrate Lobo in action. It can be thought of as a virtual demonstration of some of Lobo's abilities. There are about 40 pictures ranging in size from 20 to 100 Kb. Many are actually video captures rather than photos. The video captures are not as high quality as the photo's but I've included them because they capture Lobo in action. There are also three brief digital videos demonstrating some of Lobo's Assistance Dog skills.

Lobo's Titles

• Utility Dog (UD) is an advanced obedience title. AKC obedience involves a number of tasks for the dog and handler, for example:
1. Heeling - to hand signals.
2. Retrieving - Proudly holding the dumbbell.
3. Directed Jumping - heading over the high jump, clearing it, clearing the bar jump.
4. Positions - the stand for exam by the judge.
5. Scent Discrimination - I just gave the judge the scented article, Lobo picks it out from the other articles, brings it back, and is about to give it to me.


• Schutzhund 1 (Sch I) is a beginning title in a German form of training were the dog must perform in three events: Tracking, Obedience, and Protection. By the way, historically (and to some extent currently) this training provides the basis for breeding the German Shepherd Dog. In other words, the animals to be bred are selected on the basis of their working ability. The protection phase requires the dog to bite a bad guy (called the helper) who wears protective clothing. I think of it as martial arts for dogs. Some examples of what is involved include:
1. Agitation by the helper without a sleeve and with a sleeve and a stick.
2. Biting - male helper and a female helper.
3. Searching - for the helper who "hides" in one of several blinds. After the dog finds the helper it does a Bark & Hold (barks & does not let the helper move). Here Lobo just finished the Bark & Hold and is given a bite as a reward.
Just so you realize this type of training does not create a vicious animal, here is Lobo eating while my baby daughter plays with his food. Folks interested in this type of training should seek the help of someone experienced, as it can be dangerous for the helper and dog, and because of the fact that you are teaching the dog that aggression can be an acceptable behavior.


• Agility II (Ag. II) is an intermediate title in a form of training that deals with traversing obstacle courses. Here are a couple of example obstacles:
1. Teeter Totter - on it in mid air.
2. Sway Bridge - getting on it and in the middle of it.
   Fellow Wisconsonites might notice the "Welcome to the Badger Kennel Club" in the background.


• Service Dog is a type of Assistance Dog trained to help a person who is mobility impaired. Some of the kinds of things these dogs do are illustrated below.
1. Turning a light switch on (and off) - Although it looks like he is about to turn it on, he is actually about to "paw" it off. He turns it on with the command "nose the light" and off with the command "paw the light". Since pawing the light off takes it's toll on the wall, I installed a thin piece of Plexiglass behind the light switch.
2. Retrieving a tissue from an adjacent room - on the way to getting it (through a dog door into a bedroom), getting it, transporting it, giving it to me. He then waits for me to use it and give it back to him so he can throw it in the garbage.
3. Recycling cans - working it outdoors and the drop zone in my house.


Service Dog Digital Videos. These are presented in two of the more popular formats that common browsers can read. Relevant details including duration, resolution, and size are given. Note that although they are brief, they may take from 1 to 20 minutes (depending on the speed of your connection to the internet) or more before your computer will begin to play them.
Turning a light on - 4 sec, 320x240, 1Mb as AVI or as MOV
Turning a light off - 4 sec, 320x240, 1Mb as AVI or as MOV
Retrieving a tissue from an adjacent room - 16 sec, 160x120, 2Mb as AVI or as MOV

Other Activities

• Playing - in water, with dummy & friend, in the snow, and with Schatze puppy.
• Being Silly - howling, kissing a rat, and sniffing a bird.
• Being handsome - 4 weeks old, 3 months old, almost 2 years old, and almost 6 years old.
• Lounging - on the couch.

Pedigree

Lobo Plonsky D907832 Sch I, UD, Ag II Demo Service (Assistance) Dog Black	Clod vom Schollendobel D760200 Sch III (>22x) Black & Tan	Pascha vom Glokeneck 1482691 Sch III Grey	Falk v.d. Gundofer Hohe DDR 79317 PSH I
			Jana vom Glockeneck DDR 77558 Sch III, FH
		Helli vom Eichenbrunnele 1371203 Sch III, FH	Dick vom Haus Unterberg 1313350 Sch I
			Sandra vom Eichenbrunnele 1242768 Sch I
	Grendel XXVI D507479 Black	Feder vom Glockenstreit D113403 5-84 Sch III (Germany) Sable	Boris vom Trogenbach SZ1288743 Sch III, FH
			Fee vom Kirschental SZ1291628 Sch III
		Dise vom Steinig Tal WE800573, 1-83 Black	Warro vom Auwaldhof WD937855, 5-79 (Germany) Black & Tan
			Chrismars Lorelei WE349936, 5-81 Black & Tan