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| About Ivorymoon |
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| Ivorymoon consists of myself, Sarah Orsted Hartwig, my husband Shawn (aka "the dog spoiler"), and our four, female Rhodesian Ridgebacks; Dempsey, Dallas, Nona, and Hershey. |
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| NOT JUST A HOBBY ANYMORE! Anyone experiencing success with a Ridgeback (or other hound breed) will tell you that heavy-handed, punitively based training methods wil NOT work with these dogs! The older "jerk & tug" training methods that can be effective with sporting breeds, just don't work in the hound world. During Dempsey's early puppyhood these older, more traditional training methods were the only ones I came across. Frustrated, I began to read, research and seek out other training methods. That was the beginning of my life "going to the dogs"! Thanks to Dempsey's "Ridgebackness", I was soon teaching group dog classes at Badger Kennel Club, Mad City Dog Training, and The Dog Den, all in the Madison, WI area. After 8 years of teaching group classes and private lessons, I was blessed to be able to combine my academic and clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist with my dog training passion by serving as the Executive Director for The WI Academy for Graduate Service Dogs (WAGS, Inc). This small nonprofit trains Service Dogs for individuals with mobility impairments. |
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| FOUNDATIONS: Our life with Ridgebacks began in 1997 with "Dempsey". Like many people, I was attracted to Ridgeback's lean, athletic beauty and their natural, no-fuss, short coated grooming requirements. I did thorough research on the breed's personality and characteristics. The Ridgeback's clever independence sounded like a good match and appealing challenge. Little did I know then, just how much Dempsey would change my life! Dempsey was acquired from Kate Borst of Jabulani RRs. At the time, I was busy finishing my degree, working part time and managing my rental property. I thought there was no way I'd have time to get into dog shows or obedience competitions. But by the time Dempsey was 4 months old, her developing, correct structure and movement made me reconsider. Dempsey's breeder, Kate, has been enthusiastically supportive of our endeavors and I'm proud to say that Dempsey is the first and still the only, Jabulani RR that has earned a "Versatility Certificate" (VC). I'm also grateful for the friendship and guidance Kate has provided me over the years. |
| CLUB AFFILIATIONS: Ivorymoon is proud to be a member of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS). Sarah is currently serving on the Board of Directors for RRCUS as well. I'm also proud of being one of the founding Board of Directors and charter members of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of WI (RRCOW). Sarah is a member of Go Dogs Training Club in Omaha, NE and obedience instructor at the Nebraska State Humane Society. |
| WHAT ABOUT "DALLAS", "NONA" & "HERSHEY"? Even though Dempsey is the dog who initially changed my life, Dempsey's daughter "Dallas", is from the first Ivorymoon litter. Dallas' forever claim to fame is being Ivorymoon's first homebred Champion! Three years later, "Nona" joined the Ivorymoon family in 2004, from breeders Carol & Bill Munsch of Two Hills. In 2008, Nona's daughter Hershey, also joined our pack. |
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