About Vito

Name: Vito
Nicknames: V, Veets
Registered Name: Vermilion's Versatile Vito
Breed: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Birthday: 10/31/08

Accomplishments:
Obedience: CD, CDX-C, CGC
Rally: RA, RL3
USDAA Agility: AAD, AG, AR
NADAC Agility: EAC, OJC, NCC, TG-N, TN-O, WV-O, HP-N,
CPE Agility: CL2, CL3-F

Arrival Story:
The plan was to get a puppy in the spring or summer of 2009 when Lance would be 2, but in the meantime I talked to a few breeders.  Of course one thing led to another and soon I was putting a deposit down on a litter instead of the expected litter that spring!  I went down to visit for temperament testing and she had already narrowed down my choice to two dogs that she felt were what I was looking for.  I decided to go with the crazy little spitfire :)  We took Vito home the day after Christmas and he couldn't have been a more perfect present!

Personality:
Sigh.  It's about time I rewrite this.  Vito has changed a lot since he hit 2yrs old.  Puppy Vito was that crazy little spitfire who needed tons of work on attention and impulse control.  He loved shaping and would offer a thousand things at once if your timing wasn't spot on.  He was extremely confident with anything in his environment; never has pause about moving objects, heights, or noises.

However, Puppy Vito did have major "stranger danger!"   Sometimes any little change caused him to react to people even though he was always 100% fine as soon as the person got close enough where he can smother them with kisses.  Puppy Vito was also dog reactive although with early training and great experiences in doggy daycare this soon passed.

We have also battled separation anxiety from  day 1. It has been a very long road using behavioral modification work, extreme management, and lately medication.  (To read more about click here and here).

Present day Vito is still the drivey dog he was as a puppy but he has developed some new anxieties as well as increasing his old ones.  Vito's intensity often spills over into anxiety so he has a hard time relaxing in new environments.  His stranger danger has stayed about the same, usually he only reacts when startled.  However, he is more likely to start fixating on people at a distance in stressful situations and look for an excuse to worry about them.  Vito also developed car anxiety the summer of 2011 and became anxious about body handling.  Along with behavioral work, we currently use a variety of medications to help Vito deal with the stress of life.


Likes:
Balls.  Tug toys.  Balls.  Anything that could possibly be thrown or tugged with.  Vito is a toy maniac and I love it!   The kitty and Vito are actually best friends and Vito just doesn't understand why Lance hates the cat so much!  And of course Vito loves cuddling.  He is an extreme cuddler and always wants to be touching someone.

Pet Peeves:
Obnoxious puppies I bring home from work.  People who don't know how to throw the ball fast enough :

Favorite Tricks:
Vito's favorite trick is "are you sad?"  He also loves doing backward circles and will often do this when I don't want him to!  My favorite trick of Vito's is when he jumps into my arms.

Future Training Goals:
Vito's obedience career is currently on hold. Above all else I want a dog who is happy in the ring.  We are currently working on being trained through utility but will not resume regular trialing until Vito decides it is ok to be in the ring after all.

We are currently competing in agility where Vito does not feel quite as stressed.  He has mainly done NADAC and has recently started USDAA.

We have also started some frisbee training but in 2012 Vito retired from discdoggin.  His extreme love of the sport did not match his ability to safely collect for the disc.


Vito's Youtube Playlist:

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