Recallers - Here we come!

Mom signed us up for Susan Garrett's recallers course. We love to play games and Susan always comes up with fun things to do. We will get to play 35 games over the next 5 weeks! We are really excited to get started. We received some games to work on until the class starts so I was looking at them while we were at the hotel over the weekend. I can't wait to get started!!!

More Agility!

After our fun morning, we played more agility! Barb and Mercy were there and I thought he was really cute (I think he liked me too!) He crated right beside me and we got to visit every once in awhile. He even tried to scale the wall to run with me once and his Mom grabbed him! We were all laughing about it and then Mom forgot to throw my toy for me.

We worked on a lot of sequences today and more contacts than yesterday. I did a good job (better than Mom actually!) and did some really tight turns. We worked on start lines and practiced being in line and that was fun. We played a lot of games and did lots of fun tricks. Then we played "crate games" and I had to stay in my cage with the door open. Mom walked out of the building and I stayed in like a good boy (she didn't think I could do it!) I think Mom needs to trust me more!

We got to play a lot and I was really tired by the time we were done, but really excited as it was so much fun! I liked watching the other dogs too. There were some really cute border collies in my class, in fact, one got me in trouble because I was watching her while in the ring.

It was a great weekend and Mom and I had a lot of fun playing.

More Fun

We got up this morning and got ready and went to Panera to get our breakfast and lunch! Our seminar does not start until this afternoon so we have time this morning to "relax" and Mom said she had some other fun stuff for me too! We ate our breakfast and then I was ready to go. It didn't take too long of my pacing back and forth to convince Mom it was time to go have fun!! The building has two training areas and two separate rings, so Mom had made arrangements for us to use the other ring this morning to play. I didn't know what she had planned as she is always full of surprises for me. She had brought all our training stuff so we practiced our dumbbell and figure 8s and matwork and heeling and signals and... you name it. We played for about 30 minutes and then we took a break. I really didn't want a break, but Mom made me. It really was fun as we had the entire ring/building to ourselves. This is me on my mat:

We played for quite awhile and worked on running recalls and more rally things. Then Mom really pushed me. She would throw a cookie, release me to it and then tell me to "wait" before I got there. Now I just do not think that is fair. Once she releases me to it, it should be MINE!. But I listened and stopped and looked at it until she released me again. I'm not sure that was a fun game??? Although I did end up getting the cookie!

After we played, we took a long walk and I found a bird in the brush. I went on a really intense point, but Mom didn't have her camera. (hard to believe, huh? :) And then, someone shot a gun!!! Wow, I didn't know anyone was there with guns. I looked to see where the bird flew, but couldn't see him. Mom tried to explain the gun shot was far away, but I don't think so.... Mom wouldn't go in to flush either as she said it was all thorns!! I was going to go in, but she told me I wasn't allowed either.

Lifting Weights

I did my exercises this morning before we went to play more agility. You have to stay in great shape to play agility!!

Agility Fun

Mom and I went to an agility seminar today and she was right - I had a LOT of fun. We got to run and jump and play with my tug toy and I got lots of food rewards. We started out just doing one jump and go to Mom and then run and retrieve my toy. Then we did a couple of jumps and then I got to do the teeter too! Then we did some more difficult stuff and I had to go far away from Mom and do jumps and then run back to her. We did 180s and pinwheels and "get outs" and all kinds of fun things. And then at the end of the day we ran the jumpers course from the invitational last year and guess what, I did it great!! Mom even raced me on part of the course to see if she could run faster than me, that was really fun!! The seminar was at a new place with a lot of land, so we got to take a really long walk before our seminar too. I'm sure there were a lot of critters out there, but I didn't hunt as we were going to play agility. After our fun day, we went to the hotel. I still do not understand where you are supposed to "sit." Mom kept telling me to get on the bed, but I wasn't ready to go to bed!! There was a chair, but it was not a chair to relax in??? I kept wanting to go outside, but it was really cold out and Mom would not stay out with me very long. I finally gave up and went to bed!

Rally Class

I was really excited to go to rally class tonight, it has been 3 weeks since we were at class and I missed it! We took my pivot discs to class and I got to show everyone how to do pivots to help with heeling and "rally pivots." It was fun being a demo dog again. Everyone also gave me lots of congratulations on my 3 obedience/rally legs and especially my first place! They were proud of me!! After class we had to go straight home and start packing for our weekend. Mom keeps telling me I am going to have a lot of fun!!

Work from home day!

We haven't had a work from home day in a long time and I was so excited when Mom told me! I really like hanging out with her all day, and we get to snack too :) I played out in the yard in the nice weather while she worked. I have a new friend next door, Hobo, and we play through the fence. He is really nice.

Then at lunch we went out back and played agility. I got to run and hunt and we played recall games, I am really good at those! Mom tries to trick me but it does not work. We also worked on our "Let's Go" and I did a really good job with it.

Then we were in the office and we heard all this noise, we went to the back and Mom opened the door and all these ice balls came flying in the door. I peaked out at first and then thought it was pretty cool to have ice pouring in from the sky. It didn't last very long and by 7:00 it was nice enough to go back outside to play. Then we came in and played for a long time in our training room.

It was such a FUN day with Mom!

CUTE

This is for Mom, she likes to do silly things to me.

B U N N Y !!!!

We all went out in the yard today to play. Mom and Gary were slow behind me and I found a bunny! He thought he was hiding. He ran under the fence and then down the fence line, Mom said I looked like a greyhound I was running so fast. She was really afraid I was going to run into the other fence, but I have good brakes. I just about got him and would have if he didn't cheat and go on the other side of the fence.

Then we played the "go to Mom" "go to Gary" game. It was fun, I would run back and forth and back and forth as fast as I could. I really like playing in my back yard and I am so happy we have nice weather again.

We also played some agility and Mom set up some different exercises for us to do. I think my favorite is the teeter now!

Later in the day, we had a cookout! We had hamburgers, and chicken and brats. I ate a lot of chicken. I am so excited that is also cookout season.

This is me after our big weekend outside!

Busy Day

and I was a good helper!! Gary and I went out and picked up leaves and branches this morning. Gary and I got the BIG branches, the ones Mom didn't get earlier this week. I help carry and drag them across the yard.

Then I helped Mom and Gary get out all the agility equipment. It was exciting to get out all the equipment and I tested every piece as soon as it came out of the shed. Gary was getting ready to move half of the aframe and wondered why it was so heavy, oops! I was standing on it :)

I also chased the critter while they were working. That is my job too, to keep the critters away, or at least try to!

It was a great day, I was outside running around almost all day. I am so glad we can get out and play more now. I also took my new bone outside and chewed my bone in the fresh air.

Snuggle with Mom

I really like to snuggle on the couch with Mom and lay in her lap. I am a big lap dog, but a snuggly one!

Great Night

It was so nice outside and it was daylight longer!! Mom and I went outside and I got to run around and check everything out and then we played bumper. I am very good at playing bumper with Mom.


Then I went hunting for the critter again. He was out there, I could smell him and hear him. I am getting closer! I will have him soon....

Pick up sticks

With all the storms, our yard was full of sticks and branches. Mom and I went out today and she was picking up sticks and I helped!! I was running around and playing until I saw what she was doing. I like to help! And I really like to carry sticks.

3 for 3 weekend

I was 3 for 3 this weekend and earned two great new toys. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work since there were 3 trials in one day.

Rally Excellent Leg 2

We had our last course of the weekend and it was a very challenging course. The honor was a down right at the opening of ring gates and the working dog would come over a jump right toward you. There was also a serpentine into a spiral and the dreaded back up (well, dreaded by most, but I am good at it!) My honor dog was a Vizsla and Mom was worried I would want to go play with him. (I think Mom worries too much!) It was my turn and we entered the ring and were off. We started with a 180 left pivot, which I am very good at now! Then to a moving stand which is another difficult exercise, but I nailed it! Then we went on through the rest of the course, over the jump toward the honor dog, Mom's voice changed a bit when she called me back in position by the honor dog. I wasn't even looking at him, I was working! We were nearing the finish, did our back up, perfect by the way :) and we were done. I was so excited as I knew I did a great job. I was jumping and bouncing and ready to go get my reward. Darned, I forgot about that honor station. We went to our honor station and Mom put me in a down and then they realized the jump was not right. So we got up and moved around a little. I tried to go get my treat again, but we could not leave the ring.

Finally, everything was ready and Mom put me in a down stay and walked away. The little beagle that was working was cute, but I tried really hard to be good and keep eye contact with Mom. The Beagle worked through the course quickly, so I didn't have to do a very long down stay, which was fine by me. We were released and off to get our reward.

We went back in for awards, and I earned first place with a 98. Just as I was getting my ribbon, the other judge walked up and said, wow, you must have a great back up! Our judge told her that we did! Mom was amazed at how many dogs could not walk backwards, but we have worked really hard on this for a long time. So it paid off today :)

We went back to our cage and I got more cookies, then we started packing for the drive home. It was a long fun day!

Rally Excellent

Our next class was rally excellent. This was our first time in rally excellent. We have been able to do all the exercises, it is just that there is another dog in the ring with you, the "honor dog" and then you honor the next dog. Mom didn't get to walk as much as they had awards in the beginner novice ring during our walk through, so she was rushed and didn't concentrate like she should have. Then we had a long wait as we were at the end of the class. She was doing okay until she realized who we were honoring! During the Novice class, two dogs got up on stays, ran around and around the ring, jumped the ring gates and went in the rally ring and bothered the dog doing rally. Well, we get to honor one of those dogs..... oh, no, Mom really did not need this! She had her plan in place to protect me and to make sure the honor steward knew what was going on. On the positive side, the judge was the same one judging when this happened, so she would be watching too.

It was finally our turn and we walked in the ring to do our thing. Then I saw there was a dog in my ring, huh, why is that dog in MY ring?? I had to keep my eye on him as this is my ring right now. Mom kept telling me it was okay, but I had to make sure. We did a good job, but I was a little distracted about that other dog.

Then it was our turn to honor. You can't go out and get your cookie reward before your honor and I did not think that was right. I thought I should get my reward for doing a good job. We headed to the honor station and Mom put me in a sit stay. Then the Swissie came in and started his run. When he was headed our way he was really looking at me, but Mom told me it was okay. When he got to the station right beside me he was headed toward me and Mom said I got "big eyes" but Mom was watching and told me it was okay. The Swissie's Dad saw it too and got him under control and they were off the other direction. Whew, that was close! He took a long time to do the course so I had to sit there for a long time. Finally the judge said "return" and Mom came back to me and we were able to go get our cookies!! yea!! I got lots of chicken and roast beef for being such a good boy.

When the class was over, we were called back in and I earned a 94 out of 100 and a 4th place. We thought it was very good for our first time in the ring. We have practiced at class with other dogs in our ring, but they were my friends.

So 2 for 2 for the day, and one more to go!

Great Day!

We had a great day at the Rally / Obedience Trial today. The club was having two rally trials and one obedience trial, so Mom decided we would enter Beginner's Novice since we were there. It was our first class and Mom was a little nervous about our first time in the obedience ring.

The crating area was VERY packed and there was no room to do anything. It was a little overwhelming for me as I like to check out everyone and everything! Mom kept saying she was not in my world, she really was, I was paying attention to her, I just was not watching her! :)

We went in the ring and did our heeling. Mom thought it was okay, but thought I could have done better. Yea, yea, yea, she always thinks that. Then we did our figure 8, this is the first time I have done a figure 8 in the ring. I did a pretty good job, but forgot one of my sits as the posts were people!!! We have not practiced with people before. Maybe Mom should have done a better job :)

I got really excited that we were playing, so I would leap high in the air after each exercise. Mom was happy that I was so excited in the ring AND that I could do that and then return to her side for each exercise. We had to do our sit for exam next, that was easy as I am used to doing things like this. Next was the sit stay while Mom walks around the ring. This is what Mom was worried about. She was good though, as she kept her eyes on me as much as she could and smiled at me. We aced that one!! Last was our recall. We have done a lot of recalls, so we were not worried. Mom was thrilled with me too, as she called me and I flew to her and did a perfect front. I did bump her before I sat, but not bad.

We qualified our first time in Obedience with a 193 out of 200 points. We were both very happy. I got a lot of compliments on my enthusiasm. Best of all, Mom was proud of me to have such enthusiasm and then immediately have control to do my exercises.

Cincinnati!

We got to the hotel and Mom carried all our stuff in the room and then we took a walk and went inside. I still do not understand where we are supposed to relax -there is no couch??!! The bed is okay, but that is for sleeping. After getting settled, we went to Chili's and got our dinner. They have a "trio fahita" that is great and Mom can share with me. It has chicken, steak and SHRIMP!! Yum, yum, yum!!!

I kept wanting to go outside after dinner. It was snowing and there were a lot of fun things to investigate. Plus, there was no where to sit down??!! Mom finally sat down on the bed and told me we were not going outside anymore, I had to sit down on the bed. I walked around the room for awhile and checked everything out and finally decided I was tired and got on the bed. Mom said I was snoring as soon as I laid down. I guess I was tired!

Off to Cincinnati

Mom has a vacation day again today and we are getting ready for Cincinnati. We had to run errands and get our food (YUM!) and go to the library and more running around. Errands aren't bad, but not my favorite thing to do. When we got home we had to pack all our stuff in the van. Mom even packed all my meals in little containers and put in our special cooler. It was fun helping her prepare all my food!

She let me go out in the yard and run around some before we left, but then I had to get all wiped down as it was muddy outside. Then we hit the road! Oh, and I got a yogurt bone for the drive! I love my frozen yogurt bones!

New Coat

Mom has been worried about my muscles in my lower back since I have such a long back. They always need work! She found this great coat that is supposed to help keep my muscles loose and warm. I can wear it around the house or at night and especially at competitions. I think I look handsome!

UH-OH

Gary was looking for his shoe all night, I forgot what I did with it?? He has some old "yard shoes" that he leaves by the garage door and I always carry one around when they get home. I "guess" I took it outside and forgot about it. Mom said she did not know I took it out either. Gary was looking all over the house and could not find it...

Well, this morning Mom took me out and guess what was outside!! At least I left a "guard dog" with it so no one would steal it!!

Feeling better

I am feeling much better today. Mom rented the building for us since the weather is so nasty. She took the camera and took videos of us so she could watch our training. We had a lot of fun when we were there. We practiced a lot of different things and played games and then I got to retrieve my ball. Mom was laughing at me as I would go over the jump, through the tunnel, get the ball and take it back. Then I would do it all over again - it was FUN!!!

No trial for me!

Mom and I were going to Medina today for an APDT trial. We were all packed and ready to go and I did not feel well, so we stayed home. I didn't feel good at class last night, but Mom was not sure if I would feel better this morning or not. We got up and was almost ready to go and she was keeping an eye on me. I LOVE to grab her combs out of the cupboard in the mornings and this morning she opened the cupboard and I just did not feel like getting it. So she said that was it, we were staying home. I started feeling better throughout the day, but was still pretty tired. We did some ball work and some pivoting and fun little games throughout the day, but I rested a lot too.

Then we crashed on the couch and watched a movie in the evening. It rained all day and all night, so it was a good day to stay home and watch a movie.

Vacation Day!

We had a vacation day today. I love days when Mom stays home with me. I had chicken necks - my real ones! - for breakfast and then we played tug and did some ball work. I love it when we can play in the mornings. Although Mom always makes me wait for awhile after I eat. Then we had to run errands, I could really do without that part, but at least I can be with her.

We spent the day doing things around the house and playing. Then we went to class.

Lounging with piggie tonight

hanging out with my pig pillow

Chicken wings.... I don't think so

Gary brought home pizza and chicken for dinner tonight. They started eating pizza and then Mom opened the little box and there were chicken necks. I was sooo excited as I love chicken necks. She picked one up and I got all excited as it had to be mine. HUH- "she" is eating my chicken neck?? She isn't supposed to eat my chicken necks. She shared a bite with me and they were really good. Then the next bite I got all wiggly as it had to be mine, but no, she is eating more. She tries to tell me they are "wings" but I know better. Then I dance and give her kisses, please don't eat my chicken necks. She did share with me, well, she said that is was more like me sharing with her as I probably got more. Whatever they were, they sure were good!!

Home Depot

Mom and I went to Home Depot tonight and had a lot of fun. We worked for about 10-15 minutes and I did a GREAT job. We moved to another part of the store and I heard squeaking! Gotta get it - where is it. Then two workers walk by and tell me how handsome I am. They (and Mom) try to convince me they did the squeak. I don't believe them. I want to find the critter.

They leave and other people come to talk to me and I hear it again, but this time I can see where it is coming from. I take Mom to check it out. I look both ways and look up, I will get that critter when he runs or flies. The workers are moving things and laughing and I keep trying to find the noisy critter. Finally Mom tells me there is NO critter and we go to another aisle to work.

Then we went to the pet store and got more treats. I was disappointed though as I thought I should get the new bag of treats tonight.