By Lisa Carolin
Slideshow by Burrill Strong
You might say that Lisa Allmendinger (publisher of Chelsea Update) and her dog Buzz, a 5-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, have “the right stuff”.
The twosome did Chelsea proud representing the city in the Rally Obedience National Championships last spring, and they will do so again this June.
Like his namesake Buzz Aldrin, (the second man on the moon,) Buzz Allmendinger, whose full name is Redwyn’s One Giant Step, RM, RAE, TKN, CGC (the acronyms are American Kennel Club titles he’s earned), is the second dog in the country to attain the Rally Master title.
Rally Obedience is one of the AKC-sanctioned performance events, and it requires more than 100 different skills on a course designed by a judge. The course has 18 to 20 signs, and at each one, the dog must perform a skill or a combination of skills such as sit, stand, stay, spin, jump, down and pivot.
Allmendinger and Buzz did a demonstration of Rally Obedience at Silver Maples of Chelsea on Thursday, March 29.
Her goal was to make folks smile, and she and Buzz succeeded.
“We’re always looking for new activities that I can bring within our walls,” said Emily Meloche, activities director at Silver Maples.
Close to 50 people attended the Rally Obedience demonstration.
“Dogs can learn a myriad of behaviors that when strung together are pretty cool to see,” said Allmendinger. Her goal: “I hope they (the residents of Silver Maples) fall as much in love with cute little Buzz as I have, and that they see that the love and trust of a dog. I want them to see that and owner can overcome any obstacle.”
Buzz barely took his eyes off Allmendinger, who followed the signs held by cones around the makeshift course. Allmendinger read each sign and directed Buzz accordingly. The signs ranged from “Dog spins left forward,” to “Back up three steps.”
“Buzz is the hardest dog I’ve ever trained because he lacks confidence in some seemingly normal life situations,” said Allmendinger. “I work very hard not to put him in any situation where he could be badly scared or hurt, so he trusts that if I ask him to do something, nothing bad will happen to him. On the flip side, he’s a very honest dog. If he understands what I’m trying to teach him, he always does it.”
Allmendinger cues Buzz using both hand signals and words. Each move takes her hours to teach Buzz, and she regularly offers him praise as well as food treats.
Audience members at Silver Maples asked a variety of questions including whether Allmendinger grew up with dogs (Her parents wouldn’t let her have a dog.). Buzz’s age when she began training him (He was 8 weeks old, and his training began the first day she got him), and whether all dogs have the potential to be trained (“Yes, dogs want to please. It’s training people that’s hard.”)
“Dogs are capable of learning all kinds of cool stuff if you take the time and have the patience and skills to teach them,” says Allmendinger.
One accolade that Allmendinger treasures came last summer when then Mayor Jason Lindauer presented a proclamation to her and Buzz.
Lindauer told those in attendance at the Chelsea City Council meeting, “We’re here to honor a champion. Buzz is one of the most highly regarded dogs in the U.S. Lisa has a gift.”
Wonderful of you to share your special boy with the community! I hope you can continue these efforts. (ps. my parents are at CRC…)