The Sirius Academy located in Alpharetta, GA

Max-O-Magic Oaks Kennel is proud to announce that Tashkent, the son of champion Nik Han, has been accepted into the Protection Sports program.
Tashkent is the first Central Asian Shepherd dog accepted into this program.

Protection Sports is a club/training association involved in how to teach a dog protection work. In other words, how to instruct a dog to identify a possible threat and/or engage said threat on command by their owner/handler. Another aspect of training includes the dog’s ability to learn how to disengage the threat on command also. As a Protection Sports member, the dogs attend weekly club gatherings to work on several training exercises which can last over two hours each session. The weekly training session can include up to 13 dogs working at one time

There is a lot of excitement not only at Max-O-Magic Kennel regarding this training, but at the club too. The dog trainer and members have only heard of the Central Asian Shepherd breed, and are very excited to see one work amongst many other breeds: Pressa’s, German Shepherd’s, Belgian Malinois, American Pit Bull Terriers and Bull Dogs, to name a few.

▲ “TK” and handler Edina White

“TK” and handler Edina White, who currently owns two other Central Asian Shepherd puppies from the litter of Champions’ Al Amir’s Hammer and Fox Fire’s Max-O-Magic Georgia Peaches, that are also going through the Protection training, have just begun the training early this year. “TK” is very well disciplined and alert, watching the other dogs train, awaiting his turn” claims Edina, “when it is his turn, he is “in the moment”; it’s very exciting to witness!” Since “TK” and Edina are in the early stages of their training, more information and pictures will follow.

◄ Update: May 2007

As Edina and "TK" enter the training field, they are surprised by a man from behind the door.  "TK" immediately identifies the threat and engages. Shortly thereafter, he is called off and walks away.  As you can see, the training emphasizes, identifying the threat and disengaging on command.

Update: May 2007 ►

Here are a series of pictures representing a scenario for the Handler, Edina White, and her dog "TK". In the below scenario, the handler asks the
dog to stay on the side of the ATM machine while the handler uses the ATM; thereafter, the "bad guy" or the trainer/agitator attacks the handler from behind. You can then see "TK" reacts instantly and then is called off to finish (or to remain at the handler's for recall). This is only one situation the handler's and dog's practice. Considering every day activity, the dog should be aware of all situations that "might" occur and train them accordingly.

"TK" is enjoying his new job very much!", states Edina White, "He is progressing every weekend with each new scenario." More updates to come! Their first Service Dog of Georgia trial will be Memorial Weekend.

◄ Update: May 2007

1st Annual Sirius Spring Invitational

The event was held on May 26th and 27th in beautiful Alpharetta, GA just north of Atlanta on the grounds of Planet Sirius. Planet Sirius is home to the Sirius Academy and Service Dogs of GA.

Edina White and Tashkent ("TK") placed FIRST in the Novice Class at their first trial against five other dogs.

See the list of results on the page: http://www.servicedogsofga.org/ (click "Events").

Guard test - Dog must stay between the threat and handler - passed 100%.
 

◄ "TK" place first in his ► Obedience test (general heel, sit, sit/stay, down/stay), as well as, first in the overall class.

▼ ATM test passed

Update: September 2007

The Michigan American Terrier Pit-bull Club sponsored the show combining the Dog Sporting and Confirmation over the same day.

My Dog, Royal Gift of Asia's Tashkent (or commonly known as "TK") had to place in Group Confirmation (Group 2 and 3), and to pass the Family Obedience test.

"TK" and handler Edina White in conformation shows

The UKC show weekend began with two conformation shows, where Edina took TK to Group 3 and Group 2  wins, respectively, after two BOB wins.  There was no other Central Asian Shepherds competing in the Breed ring, but TK bested other dogs in the Group ring both shows.

Then "the team" were tested and scored in Family Obedience, passing beautifully. 

After passing the Obedience portion he was then allowed to compete in the Protection Alert test, which he scored the highest of all the breeds that day.  TK and owner/handler Edina achieved High Score for their exhibition in that arena. 

You can see the short videos of the Protection Alert test by these links below:

"TK" and handler Edina White in Family Obedience test

Following these wins, 9 year old Austin White took TK in the ring for Jr. Handler competition, where the big "T" turned in a gentle and flawless performance of everything Austin asked him to do, again against competition.

Edina White: "All kinds of tests needed to be met in order to qualify for the Total Dog Award, which TK did with flying colors (I am so proud of him!). This was a very exciting day not only for me and TK but for my breeder, Victoria Evans (Max-O-Magic Kennel), as well. This day was a land mark which proved that the breed is versatile, not only in the confirmation ring but as a sporting dog."

"TK" and young handler Austin White

Tashkent awarded Group 2 and Group 3 ribbons with both judges and handler Edina White

The ribbon represents the Total Dog and the trophy is for placing the highest in protection

I have been asked to post a video of TK's obedience work, therefore, this past weekend I made a video at my trainer's facility.

◄ Click on the banner to see this video.     TK make a few mistakes but overall he knows what he needs to do. He acts like a typical CAS and does the OB work because he knows that is what I want him to do.

TK and I have taken some time off since the event in September, primarily because we were up and driving to the north side of Atlanta at 6 am every Saturday and Sunday mornings for over 8 weeks to prepare for the event and to beat the heat (brutal summer this year). He is a little rusty but he completes the down-stay-come and the sit-stay perfectly, something that most CAS breeders will say can not be done. Well I am proud to say to have met the challenge head on and completed TK title with UKC/SDA this year. TK is great dog and I love him very much.

We are now starting level 2 training in protection. We will see how far we can go with a higher level of protection training.

Stay tuned! Updates will follow...

Edina White