URO1 Ribbon!

Buzz and his URO1 ribbon. Of course I had to take more than one!

URO1

Yep, we earned a United Rally Obedience (level) 1 title today with a 94!

Crystal got a video for us too!

Good Boy Mr. Buzzer!

UCD URO1 Sir Buzz Domino RL2 NAC NCC S-NJC O-TN-N TG-N WV-N RN (CGC)

Yeah, yeah, a photo... I'll get to it. Right now he's enjoying a stuffed Kong in his crate!

In which...

all of my dreams come true. Apparently I just need to move to Ohio.

I can have a Toller.

I can foster pregnant dogs, puppies, old dogs, young dogs, energetic dogs, and springers.

I can have a kitten.

I feel like this is the old "I have candy" ploy.

I don't know though... does Ohio have the MMBC? Nope, last I checked it was OHIO, not MINNESOTA.

Does Ohio have Agile Canines? Nope. (But it does have PosiDog.)

Does Ohio have A Great Dog Now? Nooo!

Does Ohio have my "sister" Jaci? Not a chance.

But Ohio has milder winters.

Hmmm... I'll ponder that as I head to bed, so I can get up for the MMBC UKC Rally Trial tomorrow!

Retiring Dogs

I've been saddened a lot lately by dogs being prematurely retired. Before anyone gets angry at me, I understand that I do not live with the dogs, and I don't know everything about each individual dog (thankfully, otherwise my brain might explode). Now, why are people retiring happy, healthy, not-that-old dogs? To preserve health? Good reason (but modifications can be made). The dog didn't enjoy it before? Really good reason to retire a dog, I guess.

I just get sad when I hear about so many dogs just sitting at home, getting the shaft, while younger house-mates go out and do "stuff" all the time. I realize my perspective may be different because I only have two dogs, both older, but unless it was physically or mentally exhausting, I wouldn't retire my dogs completely. Semi-retirement, yes. Lower jumps, less runs, different classes, different organizations, etc.

Does your retired dog get extra special treatment and extra walks, or things enjoyable? I hope so. Otherwise, why get a young dog when the old dog gave you so much and you just "retire" it.

Buzz loves the couch, and his dog bed, and my bed. But he also LOVES going to training class, and showing. It's at an older-Buzz speed, but hey, I hope people treat me like that when I get old. I don't want to just sit on a couch all day. I want some entertainment and stimulation too.

/end rant, I think

Nope, not done yet. It's important to be objective, both ways, when considering retiring a dog.

Now, I'm done.

She turns 10 on the 24th!

In honor of that, Bailey is now nekkid! Not shaved, but short! I'll post photos on her birthday. For now you can be sad with me that her beautiful hair is gone. I promised both of them that dogs over 10 aren't stripped anymore. A couple days early is a good birthday present I think.

ThD "stuff"

A while back I said I'd chosen to go with Therapy Dogs Incorporated for a couple different reasons. Well, until now I hadn't made time to actually get the paperwork in. I finally called the most local person I could find, and printed all of my paperwork. He just needs a fecal and a license and we're set. I was going to bring a fecal in today, but alas, last night was chicken night and apparently there was too much skin for him. Guess it'll be tomorrow!

Buzz is going to Camp Triumph with me this year as a ThD and he'll be my READ dog at schools soon too. He'll love it, and I can't wait!

A Re-Post, Adding Another Dog

We were a single dog household, wait until the dog dies until now. Our springer Scruffy died, we got the samoyed Snowey. Snowey died, we went on vacation and got Buzz. Buzz was such a devil youngster and had such poor training that I begged for a "good dog" and got one (very surprisingly, but to this day mom says she still doesn't know how I can love Buzz so much). They're 20 months apart. I would really rather they were further apart in age, and I hate that they're "old" together, but another dog isn't in the cards right now. I would have added another dog (and had planned on, when my life situation was a bit different) when Buzz was 9, making Bailey 7.

Buzz would welcome a new addition, and I think Bailey would tolerate, maybe even enjoy a youngster too. I'm really, REALLY hoping that this year looks better for me. I never want them so close in age again, especially if I'm only going to have two dogs.

What's your situation like?

Poultry Day

My animals are happy. Today was poultry day.

Dogs got chicken quarters.

Cats got game hen quarters.

Agility Learning

Everytime we have a lesson with Annelise, she points out something obvious I should have known. Tonight was no different! I told her my issue is contacts. I've tried with little success to teach Bailey running contacts. Tonight she asked "do you have a cue for it." Uhm, no. "Did you have a cue for your stopping contacts?" Uhm, no. She looks at me... I think your dog is confused.

Doh! Dog is VERY confused! We worked the dog walk first. I said "ok, go target" as she was starting her descent and the first time she was slow, but didn't stop. We repeated the exercise a couple more times and she began to run. She was running all the way down the contact to her target. I think it helped I had beef liver for her!

I was SO pleased with it, that we started adding a cue "run it." We also worked the A-Frame. Smart handler I am, I tried just saying the "run it" cue, lo and behold the dog stopped on the A-Frame. Annelise kindly suggested I start with "ok, go target" and what do you know, the dog runs through it. Good girl.

It was an excellent lesson. A lot of progress in just one session. I showed her our teeter performance and told her I'm pleased with that. As long as I tell her it's a teeter, she goes up it pretty quickly, waits for it to tip and does a 4 on for me. If I don't tell her it's a teeter she goes too fast and gets scared.

Lesson of the night. CUES ARE GOOD! Remember to CUE the dog!

Good girlie Bailey.

Bailey's week-goal

Drop On Recall work

Straight recalls

Drops in various positions, locations, at various distances

Duration on the drop

C/t-toss food

Work on verbal cue only, "lie down"

Check It Out!

Go Click Challenge

ABMC AKC Agility Trial

We just ran today. Open STD and JWW, preferred. Standard was decent. A 5 point refusal on the weaves (popped out at pole ten), and wasted seconds on that as well as on the table (really, mom sit? You just SAID down... jeeze lady) and a spin before the tunnel earned us another 5 point refusal.

Jumpers was BEAUTIFUL though. Nice course, good dog, good handling... she slid right into the weaves and didn't falter, GOOD GIRLIE! Just wonderful. She has ribbons, she doesn't feel like posing tonight though.

We're getting there, 1/3 OJP now!

Long Lines

A few people have observed that Buzz seems to always have a line attached. Well, that's mostly true. When we're outside and he isn't in a stay (or in the fenced yard), he's wearing a 50' long line (I think it was $5 at a hardware store plus the cost of a clip, so maybe $7 total). This is most definitely a safety thing because he's deaf. Even before he was deaf though, he would regularly wear a long line as I put a lot of work into his recall, but not enough. He had years and years of self-reinforcing running before I really learned anything about training. Bailey did too, but I think that comes down to temperament more than anything.

Anyways, his long line doesn't hamper his fun outside, in the least. If we're going out in a particularly open field, I actually attach another long line to that one so he's got about 65' of line dragging. I do take him out without it on occasion, but only when it's just him. A long line gives him freedom to run and explore and "be a dog" out in the country without wearing electricity. I've looked and looked and looked for a "vibration only" collar, but just can't seem to find one. I'm opposed to most vibration and stimulation collars for the obvious reason but also because often times the buttons are TOO CLOSE together for my comfort!

A few photos of Buzz "being a dog" with his long line on.

He swims with a long line too.

And whatever is going on here... uhh... well, he's wearing a long line!

I have a ton more, but here are some activities Buzz does with his long line.

Rally-O?

First of all, Buzz says 10 year old boys are THE best for doing Rally with. They change things up and do "happy with anything" WAY better than mom! I heeled on the right and the left for this boy and he thought that was SO DARN cool!

Second, right now I have a ten year old boy and his handsome boy poodle puppy in my rally class. Last week they were in Manners, but have decided to do Rally instead. Jane and I worked on some rally together, and then Annelise came over to run our mini course after she was done teaching agility. It was fun, a lot of fun (but late fun).

Third, I'm compiling a list of resources for my student(s). I plan on putting it into a three ring binder with space to add weekly homework. Right now I'm printing out the signs with descriptions for the three organizations we have up here. I'll probably list the key differences on another page, and some "annual" trials on another. Can anyone think of other "good things" to have in this binder?

Fourth, the new rally/obedience facility is excellent! I love that we're completely closed in. Buzz got to "tuck butt and run" after classes on Monday and it was just excellent. I love, love, love it!

Fifth, Buzz and I began preparing for our altered conformation show-time in April (I think). He seems to have forgotten about gaiting, but he's really good at heeling! We've been working with a target stick because it worked before. We'll see how well it works this time!

Creatures in Boxes

Good Dogs

I need to blog about my first class, but this post is reserved for photos showing off my GOOD DOGS from yesterday (yes, same set as the "dogs on cars" came from).

We'z GOOD DOGS and wait for Mom to get the mail!

Still waiting...

Mom sez I'm funny... I like to make mom laugh!

Dogs on Cars

4 Feet In A Box

is this week's trick.

Buzz's spondylosis is going to hamper us on this, but he's trying SO hard. He can almost fit into a printer paper box (so... 8.5 x 11 times two, 17 x 22). I haven't worked Bailey yet as I was occupied with doing a KPA trick of jump into a box and lie down. I found a cow feeding tub downstairs and we worked with that. It took her a while, and a lot of shaping for her to figure out how to lie down in there (round IS an issue I guess), but she did it. I had a hard time not c/t for her resting her front paws and head on the side of the tub, it was SO cute.

I need to find a new box for Buzz, maybe a laundry basket will work!

Winner, winner, CHICKEN DINNER!

Naw, not really a chicken dinner though the dogs deserve one!

"Knock" was really a training challenge for our "friendly" competition. Karin, Kristen, and I do these every once in a while and are trying to be better about doing one a week.

Our test objects were a boot (my choice), a bowl (Karin's), and a full water bottle (Kristen's).

Bailey did NOT appreciate the bowl. She never DID knock it over. She put her feet in it, and hit the edge, but that was definitely a tactile-NO for her. We were successful in the others though.

Buzz thought it was nose touch knocking for waterbottle, was SURE of it. I got about half correct responses from him on that one. Boot and bowl were far more successful.

That made me the WINNER!

Next week's challenge is four feet in a box... smallest box possible. THIS is going to take a lot of work.

Karin and I also both have dogs that do not find petting/touching to be reinforcing, and hate being manipulated in fact... so Kristen's trying to make that the challenge for the NEXT week. Pfft!

Training Treats

What do you use?

I use a lot of kibbles, but the kibbles I like to use, I don't feed my dogs (Solid Gold kibbles are my favorite for training with, yes large). I feed Fromm Salmon when they eat kibbles, and those are TINY (but perfect for the Treat and Train).

I use a lot of Natural Balance food roll. Lamb is extra gooey and stinky.

Cheese!

Zukes

Canned food

I have biscuits on occasion and sometimes they're fun for jackpots, my dogs like to crunch things... bison biscuits have been a HUGE hit here, whenever I feel like buying them.

Two Rally Things

First--If you're in the area and like rally, don't forget about the MMBC APDT Rally Trial on February 6 & 7, 2010. Levels 1-3, puppy, and veteran!

Yes, I am trial secretary, because APDT is AWESOME!

Second--If you're looking for a rally class (posting this is way out of my comfort zone, but I'm trying to be better) I will be teaching a Rally class at A Great Dog Now and it's going to be a blast. Mondays from 8-9!

If I could figure out how to upload a PDF, I would put the flier up! Maybe tomorrow I'll figure that out.

Acupuncture report

Overall-very good!

We discussed agility in general, how he's been doing, and what the future looks like. I told Dr. E about this weekend and how I was so pleased with Buzz. I also relayed that he jumped off the middle of the a-frame, that is no good. We talked about the obstacles and the injury risks they pose. Dr. E suggested we not do weavers anymore (I'm fine with that), and maybe no weaves at all? I think I'll have to look at flooring (dirt vs astro turf vs grass) in general before making a decision on that, so a trial by trial basis for now. Contacts were also discussed. I said his are typically really good. This was definitely a handling thing that I'll try not to repeat, but the risk is definitely there still. Touch N Go may be out of the cards, further discussion awaits.

Tunnelers, however, still has the all clear (he made open time on Sunday, and beat Bailey--but that's another story) and Jumpers is on the "soon to be clear" list. We need to work on the physical conditioning more, still. For a while we may just be doing Jumpers and Tunnelers, and that's ok, as he's only going to be doing 1-2 runs and one day trials from now on I think.

Things can still change, but as of now, this is where we stand. Tunnelers (2 more until open) and Jumpers (yay open) here we come!

Oh, and Dr. E found a muscle knot where his back has been twitching when we do back strengthening exercises. It was loosened by the acupuncture today, but we're not sure about how to keep it lose, or why it tightens. I need to be very careful with my dog and try to remember to check it daily.

the Rascal and some eyes

from clickertraining.com

How to Motivate Yourself to Train or Exercise Your Dog—Or Do Practically Anything Else!

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/1340?source=fbfp

Health Testing Pets

It has come up again! I love this topic.

Would you do it? What if you got money back from the breeder (specifically, breeder put money away from purchase price and reimbursed you for part or all of the testing)? What if it was required by contract?

If I ever breed (that's a pretty big "if" at this point), I would require hips/elbows and eyes at least once after the puppy CERF on any breed. I'm still very intrigued by PennHIP and want to incorporate that into a program, but I'm not sure where. It is expensive, and has to be done by a certified vet, and the dog has to be completely sedated.

Anyway, would you do it (given a reasonable time-frame), or would that discourage you from buying from a specified breeder?

Neither of my current dogs were required to have anything done by contract. It was all for my own knowledge and to provide data.

It bears repeating.

I participate on quite a few forums. I clearly say who I am, and I have met or already knew some people in person. I am a nice person, but I'm not too afraid to say what I think. If you've asked for help publicly, then acknowledge it maybe? So many people post, just to get the "oh, you're right, so-and-so is wrong" feel good replies. What the HAY! Why did I take time out of my day (ok, so that's usually reserved for a different person much better at explaining things) to provide useful information for it to be disregarded? Seriously? Are we that childish that we all need assurance, for something that shouldn't BE receiving assurance?! This is why I rarely post on forums anymore. Nobody can have good discussions anymore, because people always get defensive. What is so wrong with discussions that *gasp* may turn into arguments? Can people just not handle it?

I am regularly told to rethink something, or a few things. I'm ok with that (maybe it's a conditioned response). If I wasn't, I'd not have the training buddies I do. One in particular is good at being truly helpful. Nit picking and providing advice.

If you don't want help--just say so, and the few of us that WANT to help won't take that time and be so frustrated when you don't REALLY want the help.

That makes it sound like I've actually tried to provide helpful information lately, but I really haven't for a while. A friend has though, and has received nothing but disrespect. It is so very annoying.

Puppy Play Time!

Ditzel Fritz is cute!

He's five months old in seven days!

Too bad he's not mine! At least I get to play with him and teach him about nail trimming (he doesn't even notice) and help his daddy with good training. When I stole him for a bit last night we worked on "knock" too, with wooden blocks. He's such a fun puppy!

"Knock" videos

I took them. I like them. I don't have the right connection on my computer for Kevin's camera!

I'm very sad. Hopefully they'll be up soon because A) Jason will put them on his computer and let me edit them there or B) Kevin buys a different connector.

I have a feeling A) is going to be the quickest choice.

New Trick, "Knock"

I've begun teaching the cue "knock" to both dogs. "Knock" will mean to hit something with your paw and make it fall over. I shaped it with both dogs tonight with a noodle box. At first Buzz was SURE it was meant to be picked up and he was SO cute trying to figure out how to pick it up. Pawing was WAY more fun though! He really got into it!

Tonight I ended when I got consistent hard, direct, paws on the object and it fell over.

Tomorrow I may start adding in the cue, or I might add distance. I haven't decided yet.

Also still figuring out a cue for Buzz. A real knocking motion is his "guess which hand" game cue combined with a "back up" cue. Thinking about a knock with right hand into the left palm. I have to see how well I can execute that cue though.

I'll try to get it on video soon. The batteries for our p&s (the camera I use for video) have decided they don't want to hold a charge, so it might be a webcam video!

MMBC NADAC Trial Results

Saturday

Bailey--Q in Novice Chances for her NCC and Q/2nd in Novice Touch N Go for her first TG-N Q!

Buzz--NQ in Novice Touch N Go because we missed a couple hoops and jumped an A-Frame contact (totally a handling thing--I haven't really run him in a while)! A VERY BIG Personal Q though, as he was RUNNING and having fun and pain free! Not super fast, and not super smooth, but it's on video!

Sunday

Bailey--NQ in Touch N Go, extra tunnel, and NQ in Tunnelers, something was amiss.

Buzz--Q! in Tunnelers! #8 for his S-TN-N! What a GOOD BOY!

There may be video of the other runs... just have to wait and see.

Two videos courtesy of The Mousie!

HE RAN!

He really, really ran! MUCH faster than anticipated too. No, we didn't Q because I wasn't expecting him to be THAT fast (or THAT responsive). He was SOOOOO good and happy. Buzz boy is back in action. (We just missed a couple hoops and leaped over a few contacts... contacts are NOT designed to be leaping over, especially in his age but man was he having a good time!)

Oh, and Bailey went 2/2. We had a contact issue today (unsure of criteria so creeping/pausing). She finished her NCC and got her first TG-N Q! Darn good girly.

But Buzz, oh Buzz, he RAN! He feels GOOD! HE RAN!!!!!!!!

Day 1 of Reinforced Recalls

Today is January 1, so it is day one of the training challenge. I've decided to do it with both dogs, but we'll see how successful I actually am with that.

So far today, Bailey has done 20. I need to do 30 more. We're doing short distances, inside and outside. This morning was outside. Tonight will be inside as it's dark already!

Lifetime goals?

I waffle between "that's silly" and "it gives me something to work towards" concerning lifetime goals. Today is an "it gives me something to work towards" goal (and it helps I'm eating a fresh Montana Pomegranate caramel).

Thus, today I am posting lifetime goals and where we stand on the quest.

Buzz, since he's the oldest.

Novice Versatility-completed!

ARCH-1/5 QQs

UCDX-nothing... and we may have to scratch that one, but we'll just see

Bailey, since she's the youngest.

Versatile Companion Dog 4-right now we're just working up the ladder. A VCD4 is chock full of "the good stuff" that we aspire to. A VCD2 is next on the list.

JH-we've begun training and right now I'm looking for a new trainer.

Year goals?

Buzz--definitely his ARCH, and maybe we can grab a UCDX Q or 2.

Bailey--definitely her VCD2 and at least enter a hunt test.

Updates

The return of "boring-blog" layout is due to the return of an Aroha website. So far, our Home and Buzz pages are nearly complete.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

I'm off to the pet supply store to buy some cat food and NB roll, then I have to work on our camp business card, THEN I hope to get back to work on the new website... oh, wait, after I vacuum the house.

2009 Recap

As the year comes to a close, it's time for the annual recap.

January brought on the celebration of Bailey's ninth birthday. A happy and sad day. I'm thrilled she turned nine and is still here, but I'm sad that she'll be a double digit dog in not too many more days! No trials for us in January as I was in NYC for New Years and I started student teaching at Stonebridge!

February brought no trials once again, but it did bring all normal bloodwork for Buzz. He got a silver wellness panel this year as I was curious about his thyroid. Everything was within normal limits. It was probably a really boring month with me still settling in at Stonebridge. I can't remember.

March brought an AGILITY TRIAL! The first trial for us since August 2008! I was still concerned about Bailey's overall health so she just ran tunnelers (her first time in open) and qualified! Buzz ran in Tunnelers, Weavers, and Jumpers. Qualifying in all of his runs and his weavers Q finished his Novice Versatility! A long sought after title! We got a picture to commemorate it!

What a good boy he is! Click

April brought ANOTHER trial where I had Very Good Dogs. Buzz was only entered in Novice Jumpers where he qualified to finish his Superior Novice Jumpers title (10Qs). His FIRST Superior title! Bailey was my star that day. She was entered in Jumpers, Chances, and both rounds of regular. She qualified in ALL FOUR! What a good girly dog.

In May Buzz turned 11 and Bailey and I visited the TCVESSA specialty show. We didn't qualify in Open A, but it was a lot of fun to visit with friends. We also got a gift from our friend Ann--a copy of the English Springer Spaniel Illustrated Standard. HOW COOL! I really, really like that book! May also brought the "not-so-fractured" pelvis for Buzz and hip/elbow OFA xrays. The pelvis ended up not being fractured, spondylosis causes the pain, and his hips/elbows were graded as Good/Normal! Amazing results for an 11 year old boy! May also brought MY college graduation (it still feels weird to say "why, yes, I do have a college degree, a BS in Elementary Education") and with that my NEW, beloved CAMERA! It's sitting next to me right now. I really, really, love my camera.

June was my favorite month I think! We went to OHIO, finally! Bailey and I drove a LONG way to visit Kristen, Karin, and Abigail to help with the Ohio 4-H Teen Dog Experience. It was so much fun. We taught tracking, showmanship, agility, and obedience. We had an excellent time and can't wait for next year (except for that whole getting lost on the way back thing... that was not fun).

July contained our whirlwind trial weekend. Bailey ran 2/4 at the MAC NADAC trial finishing her NAC and qualifying in Jumpers. Then she got QQ#4 for her RAE in Duluth with a 1st (and a beautiful, glass photo frame) and a 3rd place. The next day she qualified in all three of her AKC agility runs! Q#3 and new NJP title in JWW, Q#2 in STD, Q#1 in FAST. Sunday Buzz and I went to our first UKC Rally trial. It wasn't the prettiest thing we've ever done, but we qualified with an 80/100.

In August, Buzz and I went to the MMBC APDT trial where we picked up our first RL3 Q and our first ARCH QQ!

September was an up and down month. We lost our resident granny cat, ruler of all, Baby. She is still sorely missed. She had a presence and boy do I miss that. But, Bailey did certify in tracking (on try #2). Though, the MMBC trial did not prove to be very good for us. I thought Buzz was ok with pain meds, but he was clearly not and was scratched. Bailey was also off her game after a beautiful Jumpers run to finish her NJC. We had a better plan of action though and she ran really well for me at the BOTC AKC agility trial. There she finished her NAP (but we couldn't qualify in JWW because she couldn't weave... blerg).

October was a close second favorite month. In October Bailey entered, ran, and PASSED her first Tracking Dog test. That was not only her TD title, but her VCD1! A VERY long awaited title for us. I was/am/will-be-for-a-long-time SO proud of her and of us. She was just wonderful. October also brought a turning point for Buzz. He's been receiving acupuncture and it has been ABSOLUTELY wonderful for him. He has almost returned to normal and is back to his half-age self (he's usually pegged at being about 5-6, and he's actually 11.5). It makes my heart swell to see him SO pain free and happy. He still gets pain meds on heavy activity days (usually Zeel), but day to day life doesn't require pain meds anymore.

November was pretty uneventful. We finally made it to tracking group again where Buzz was wonderful and Bailey was crazy! It did bring Buzz's third and fourth UCDX NQs and his second URO1 Q!

And that brings us to December. It's been a crazy month, feels like it came and left already. We'll be heading out to Leatherdale on Saturday and Sunday for the MMBC NADAC trial. The dogs and I are both excited as Leatherdale is probably our favorite place to run agility.

Title-Wise Year-End

Buzz

WV-N 3/15/09

Novice Versatility 3/15/09

S-NJC 4/18/09

Bailey

NAC 7/3/09

NJP 7/11/09

NJC 9/5/09

NAP 9/12/09

TD 10/25/09

VCD1 10/25/09

With multiple physically necessary breaks... I'm very happy. I have two happy, relatively healthy, senior dogs that continue to play these games with me, happily. That's all I can ask for.

I hope the new year brings more tracking, hunting, agility, obedience, rally, and some altered conformation for Buzz. We're expanding our repertoire...

Happy New Year to everyone out here in the blogosphere.

Rasza & Rascal (12 years old)

Bailey & Buzz (9.85 and 11.5)

Why not include the only picture of both dogs and I, that will hang in our NEW Agile Canines Training School?

A Fernandezlopez Challenge

http://dogs.fernandezlopez.org/2009/12/challenge-who-will-join-me.html

"My goal is to do 1000 reinforced recalls with Gitta in the month of January 2010.

To make the math nice and round, I figure this means: 250 recalls a week (x4 weeks); which is roughly 50 recalls a day (x5 days a week). I'm planning on doing sessions of 10 which will only take about 5 minutes including setup. The location/distraction level will change each time she is successful on 8 out of 10 tries."

We joined, will you?

Christmas, the Nelson way

Pile things on the cat!

Until said cat gets sick of silly game and wants human to swirl ribbon to chase.

(while showing off his Beastie Band--a very early Christmas present)

Buzz's "Ella's Lead" custom Collar

Black and white first, because then you can't see how stained/red he is.

And the original, because you can see the collar for it's real value.

It's really beautiful! Thanks Ella's Lead! He's been wearing it since it arrived last night!

Fromm--Holiday Contest!

http://www.frommfamily.com/contest/

Rascal and I submitted a photo... he's a goober-cat!

Winner!

I used to say that I never win anything, well... I've won a LOT of things lately, including this BEAUTIFUL collar from Ella's Lead. We entered in a contest on FLOT (to members only) and won! This is Buzz's collar as he's been wearing one in the house lately (being deaf and information-less scares me more than him getting his collar caught on something). Isn't it beautiful? When it arrives, I'll definitely get a photo of him wearing it.

Thanks Ella's Lead!

Cat in a Box

Memories of Summer

It was venison day here. That's kind of like egg day, it's exciting! Everyone had venison for breakfast (well, except me). Then the dogs and I went for a journey through the woods. Bailey did a LOT of running! She's actually a tiny bit tired, Buzz is VERY tired. We also got our Secret Santa gift from the FLOT SS exchange today! The dogs are thrilled with our loot!

thoughts on dog activities

Parts of a skype conversation from tonight

(me) I've had lots of throughts today

about lots of things... heh

(K) thinking is good

me too.

A lot of stuff I'd not thought on for ages.

I think Buzz'll be retired from agility after the January trial... it'll all depend on how he runs and how he feels afterwards, he LOVES agility... but I think he loves rally even more and if I stop paying for agility runs that are potentially? damaging, we'll have more money for pursuing other rally things

I think Bailey does obedience and agility for me these days--I seriously can't match her excitement/enthusiasm for tracking and hunting, regardless of how/when/why I work her and that makes me sad... I tried getting her amped up and gah... but I think she'd have a blast in Utility--so we just need to "get through" open?

and blaaaaaaaah

(Exciting conversation, no?)

That was the start, the middle was words like premack principles, predatory sequence... and guilt. I was feeling so guilty today. I got up late for work so Bailey only got yard time, Buzz got a snappy human when he wanted to sniff and roll in the snow, and when I got home I had "things" to do. We didn't get out for any real exercise today. I've been struggling for a couple months on the "is this for me or them" dilemma and her enthusiasm for tracking and hunting has really fueled that. She just enjoys those two activities (add in free running in a field and retrieving bumpers out of the water and you have Bailey's absolute FAVORITE things) so much that I was feeling guilty for "asking" her to do other things. Yes, it's a training issue, but it also comes down to early experiences and even semi-current training. Buzz is 11.5 years old now, when HE started "classes" (I can barely even call them that) enthusiasm was NOT desirable and was corrected. As a result, obedience was THE most boring activity ever. When he could escape it, he did. Bailey was trained much the same way. I've since done a complete change in training methods, but there was early imprinting that has lasting effects... ON ME! The only activities to not have THAT (and to be based on natural dog instinct and behavior too) ARE tracking and hunting.

The end? Continue doing what she loves, continue doing what he loves... and continue doing what I love. Incorporate them into the other training. Why can't I use birds for retrieving in obedience (Buzz would be downright giddy, Bailey would be ecstatic), why don't I use feathers on a rope to chase as a reward in agility? Many of these things CAN be used across the board.

As it stands, Buzz adores rally and is really starting to "get" tracking. Bailey may drive me crazy, but I can appreciate her (and even thank her breeder sometimes) and embrace her enthusiasm for the "natural" things in life. Less "controlling" control, more fun.

conditioning?

I've made it a priority to get all three of us into better condition. For the dogs that means running with me (for good cookies and toys) and playing with me (roughhousing and chasing). I've been good and have devoted at least half an hour to it daily.

Yesterday the three of us ran up and down the driveway (for canned food... yum). Today we played chase out in the yard until feet got cold and then we played in the basement. It took Buzz a while but he was eventually running around and being silly and even jumped on and off the couch a couple of times.

Yes, we'll do jumps and stuff too, but this is very important for generally being in condition.

Agility Training

Last night the dogs and I went to a run and done at a localish training facility. It wasn't very busy when we got there so that was great. I had no interest in working contacts, so I just signed up for three "JWW" slots. Buzz worked at 8" and Bailey at 12" where they each had one five minute slot and then split the last one. Buzz was feeling SO GOOD! He was running with me and turning and weaving. It was EXCELLENT! We played lots of RUN games and it was a lot of fun. We only worked for about four minutes, but that's all we needed. We started with just two jumps and worked up to about five. I was throwing a toy and treating for tighter turns and RUNNING. What a good boy he is.

Bailey still had some issues, but she was soliciting attention from me and wanting to work so that was excellent. She wasn't moving too fast, but we played a few race games and she DID play with me. Not too much to report on that front except she did 12 weaves multiple times, and single stepped. What a good girl dog!

I hope they offer this again as it is EXACTLY what we need. Work time and break time at our own pace to get back into the mental and physical game of agility.

Snow!

The dogs love snow, I like snow. A snow day should be declared, correct?

I think so!

Training!

It's quick. It's easy. It's fun. It's practical!

Set aside ten to fifteen minutes every day (or twice, or three times each day is even better) to train your dog. Set a goal, keep the rate of reinforcement high, and get to work.

Today Bailey worked on sit stays and heeling. She's been having issues with left turns on and off. A lot of it is my body cue to turn isn't always predictable, so I am working on that part, and together we are working on them being a smooth transition. If my cue isn't timed correctly, she bumps into my leg and stops. My goal for today was two-fold, cue correctly and help her keep working if she bumps me. If she bumped me, I didn't click, but I did throw food for her. The reasoning behind this is the same reason I give "screw up cookies" in agility. If you give the wrong cue and the dog responds correctly, they are STILL right, so in the words of my agility instructor "reward that!" We had about fifteen repetitions of left turns. She hit me 4 times and by the fourth one she was bouncing at me, it wasn't such a big deal! This is to help us in a trial, because if I don't cue it correctly, I still want her to keep working. Her sits were VERY good today. Not a single break and this is while I was working Buzz too!

Buzz worked on sit stays and learning the difference between "down" and "mark" cues. He wants to lie down SO BADLY when I move my left arm any way in the downward direction. This is a good thing, that he's so amped about performing, but a bad thing in that I need to teach him to mark things (like the jumps in rally since I can't cue jump verbally, or his dumbell on the blind retrieve, or anything else I'd like to send him to). The session started with me doing limited movements with my left arm. I was almost able to bring it to level with his head by the end of the session, but we didn't get to the actual marking exercise today. Tomorrow we will work on the actual cue for down, instead of any left hand motion while in heel position!

Rip Curl Ricki

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