I made this before I left.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeNBh0SXGp4
I must say- either that is a big suitcase or a small Malinois. Actually, a bit of both. It is a big suitcase and while Pie is normal sized, Dottie is only 40 pounds.
My dogs are so good to do whatever weird and strange thing I ask them to do. And to do it happily. Look at those wagging tails.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
On the Road :(
Why do I give my blog title a sad face? It is because I have left CA for 2 months of military training in MS, and as a last minute change of plan I left the dogs behind. I think that qualifies for a sad face.
Please no lectures (from anyone!) about how this was "a mature decision" or "it is for the best" because I knew all along bringing my dogs with me was not the best choice, but I didn't care. I had a plan and had everything worked out. I do not thinking taking them would cause any problems, but when people at work started questioning me about what I was doing with my dogs when I was gone, and 2 people came right out and asked if I was taking them, I was forced to change my plans. I could not tell these people I was not taking them, and then take them, because that is lying and is wrong in any circumstances, and in the military will get you in extra huge trouble. I could not tell these people I was taking them because I knew that was not what they wanted to hear. Which meant I had to tell them they were staying with my best friend, and then change my plans to make that true.
So, I had to call up my best, most trusted friend ffluffy, who luckily had already offered to take them before I had my trailer plan in place, and tell her I was taking her up on the offer. I welcome comments on how I can make it up to her. Taking care of 3 extra dogs, 2 of them Malinois and one a Malinois puppy, is not something to be taken lightly. Maybe I should nominate her to the Pope for sainthood. What miracles can I attribute to her? Hmmmmm..... I'll have to think about that one more. Seriously, it is a huge deal she is doing this for me.
Now I am in a lonely Motel room in Van Horn, TX. No dogs. And no dogs for 2 months. I already have dog envy, watching people at the gas stations walking their dogs. I know my dogs will be fine with ffluffy but I am the one who may not be fine. However, leaving them with her was a lot easier than leaving them in a kennel, or at home with someone coming over twice a day. They love ffluffy and her house is lots of fun too. She might enter Pie or Dottie in an agility trial or two.
I did not leave any dogs with my parents (for those who are wondering) because they did not offer to take Dottie (gee, I wonder why?) and Fancy pesters Molly and Pie needs her Pie Pill at certain times of the day and is also not allowed to play with certain toys and maybe that sounded like too many instructions. Plus, since they wouldn't take Dottie, and I knew none of ffluffy's dogs would appreciate a Mal pup chewing on their limbs, I thought Dot and Pie should stay together so Dottie could have someone who didn't mind her type of play. Which means everyone ended up at ffluffy's.
They had better behave themselves. And I hope Fancy does not become too depressed and think I abandoned her forever. She constantly harbors that suspicion, even though I tell her it would never happen. Pie and Dottie are happy to see me, like any dog, but Fancy is very frantic and desperate when she greets me. It makes me sad to think she is constantly worried about being left behind.
As I was packing up the car I propped the front door open, and Pie kept coming about a body length out and just standing there, even though she knows she is not supposed to come out unless I tell her too. I kept telling her to get back inside, then I realized what was going on and just let her get in the car. She knew there was a trip coming and did not want to be left behind. It was also nice that I was able to take the dogs with me on the first leg of the journey (ffluffy lives in AZ) rather than leaving them in the house and driving off. That would probably feed into Fancy's fear of being left behind.
Here is me at a rest stop in TX... somewhere. I wasn't actually happy to be there, but have been conditioned to smile for cameras. I want to photoshop the dogs in
with me....
Me and the trusty oh six Buick- 98000 miles. Will hit 100000 soon!
PS- I think it should be a law that any truck carrying a wide load must state what the heck that thing is so you are not left to wonder. There are some strange huge objects traversing our nations highways.
Please no lectures (from anyone!) about how this was "a mature decision" or "it is for the best" because I knew all along bringing my dogs with me was not the best choice, but I didn't care. I had a plan and had everything worked out. I do not thinking taking them would cause any problems, but when people at work started questioning me about what I was doing with my dogs when I was gone, and 2 people came right out and asked if I was taking them, I was forced to change my plans. I could not tell these people I was not taking them, and then take them, because that is lying and is wrong in any circumstances, and in the military will get you in extra huge trouble. I could not tell these people I was taking them because I knew that was not what they wanted to hear. Which meant I had to tell them they were staying with my best friend, and then change my plans to make that true.
So, I had to call up my best, most trusted friend ffluffy, who luckily had already offered to take them before I had my trailer plan in place, and tell her I was taking her up on the offer. I welcome comments on how I can make it up to her. Taking care of 3 extra dogs, 2 of them Malinois and one a Malinois puppy, is not something to be taken lightly. Maybe I should nominate her to the Pope for sainthood. What miracles can I attribute to her? Hmmmmm..... I'll have to think about that one more. Seriously, it is a huge deal she is doing this for me.
Now I am in a lonely Motel room in Van Horn, TX. No dogs. And no dogs for 2 months. I already have dog envy, watching people at the gas stations walking their dogs. I know my dogs will be fine with ffluffy but I am the one who may not be fine. However, leaving them with her was a lot easier than leaving them in a kennel, or at home with someone coming over twice a day. They love ffluffy and her house is lots of fun too. She might enter Pie or Dottie in an agility trial or two.
I did not leave any dogs with my parents (for those who are wondering) because they did not offer to take Dottie (gee, I wonder why?) and Fancy pesters Molly and Pie needs her Pie Pill at certain times of the day and is also not allowed to play with certain toys and maybe that sounded like too many instructions. Plus, since they wouldn't take Dottie, and I knew none of ffluffy's dogs would appreciate a Mal pup chewing on their limbs, I thought Dot and Pie should stay together so Dottie could have someone who didn't mind her type of play. Which means everyone ended up at ffluffy's.
They had better behave themselves. And I hope Fancy does not become too depressed and think I abandoned her forever. She constantly harbors that suspicion, even though I tell her it would never happen. Pie and Dottie are happy to see me, like any dog, but Fancy is very frantic and desperate when she greets me. It makes me sad to think she is constantly worried about being left behind.
As I was packing up the car I propped the front door open, and Pie kept coming about a body length out and just standing there, even though she knows she is not supposed to come out unless I tell her too. I kept telling her to get back inside, then I realized what was going on and just let her get in the car. She knew there was a trip coming and did not want to be left behind. It was also nice that I was able to take the dogs with me on the first leg of the journey (ffluffy lives in AZ) rather than leaving them in the house and driving off. That would probably feed into Fancy's fear of being left behind.
Here is me at a rest stop in TX... somewhere. I wasn't actually happy to be there, but have been conditioned to smile for cameras. I want to photoshop the dogs in
with me....
PS- I think it should be a law that any truck carrying a wide load must state what the heck that thing is so you are not left to wonder. There are some strange huge objects traversing our nations highways.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Agility Videos
Fancy on Saturday in Standard. Fourth place- tricky opening! Late commands on my part.
I hope Pie's video shows up in my email. If so I will post it. Pie also ran clean with a second place. She came in second to the Australian Shepherd that is acutally a 20 inch dog but chooses to run in the 24 inch class. He tends to beat us by a few 10ths of a second only. It is frusterating to constantly come in second to a dog that has an advantage over us! A shorter dog can turn tighter. I wish AKC would change the rule and made dogs compete in the jump height they measure in to. I don't care about the multiplying points for first place (they should be going away soon and Pie already has enough points for her Mach 3, she just needs 20 QQs) I just want the first place since I believe we deserve it. We were the fastest 24 inch dog. I usually don't get too worked up about it since I'm not that competitive, but at our last few shows it has been all seconds behind the same dog so it was kind of a cumulative frustration.
Dottie's standard run:
She falls of the teeter but is not injured. I choose to do it again then per the new rule, must leave. I am proud she thought about trying to jump back on twice before I actually asked her to. What a good girl. Also relieved she is uninjured because it looked really nasty. No Qs for Dottie all weekend. Both jumpers runs were great- knocked bar each time (Don't shout her name over the jump!) and in standard on the second day she was very distracted and not focused at all. I know she is still such a young dog so I'm not worried about that at all. The awesome jumpers runs show me what she is capable of so I focus on those and dream of the day when she runs like that all weekend.
I hope Pie's video shows up in my email. If so I will post it. Pie also ran clean with a second place. She came in second to the Australian Shepherd that is acutally a 20 inch dog but chooses to run in the 24 inch class. He tends to beat us by a few 10ths of a second only. It is frusterating to constantly come in second to a dog that has an advantage over us! A shorter dog can turn tighter. I wish AKC would change the rule and made dogs compete in the jump height they measure in to. I don't care about the multiplying points for first place (they should be going away soon and Pie already has enough points for her Mach 3, she just needs 20 QQs) I just want the first place since I believe we deserve it. We were the fastest 24 inch dog. I usually don't get too worked up about it since I'm not that competitive, but at our last few shows it has been all seconds behind the same dog so it was kind of a cumulative frustration.
Dottie's standard run:
She falls of the teeter but is not injured. I choose to do it again then per the new rule, must leave. I am proud she thought about trying to jump back on twice before I actually asked her to. What a good girl. Also relieved she is uninjured because it looked really nasty. No Qs for Dottie all weekend. Both jumpers runs were great- knocked bar each time (Don't shout her name over the jump!) and in standard on the second day she was very distracted and not focused at all. I know she is still such a young dog so I'm not worried about that at all. The awesome jumpers runs show me what she is capable of so I focus on those and dream of the day when she runs like that all weekend.
Agility Thougths
I've come to the conclusion that AKC courses are not designed for 26 inch dogs (possibly not for 24 inch dogs either but that is a different matter.) I watched three dogs run in the 26 in class this weekend and to me it looked like all of those dogs were trying to keep the bars up but could not put in the right amount of strides then take off from the correct spot to keep them up. In one run, one of the dogs had 2 full strides between a jump but that put him too close to the base of the jump and he contorted his body but ticked the bar and it came down. Watching the jumping styles of those dogs it doesn't quite look natural. I wonder if they had more room if they could have a nicer arc.
Agility is so weird that way. "They" come up with a rule- big does must jump 26 inches to qualify for the World Team, but they don't take into account that dogs in other countries jumping 26 inches are running a different type of course. Also, I have been told not only are the style of the course different, but each size of dog (small, medium and large) run a different course with different spacing between the jumps. Therefore, the small dogs aren't running forever between jumps, and the large dogs are not taking one jump and landing on top of another.
USDAA runs 26 inches as a mandatory height instead of the "optional" 26 inch height in AKC, but those judges are used to thinking about 26 inch dogs (I hope) where in AKC the 26 inch dogs are an afterthought. What is the purpose of jumping so high anyway? I don't want it to be like flyball were the dogs are hardly jumping, but what do high jumps do for the sport, other than stop our dogs from competing for as long as they want? Their bodies give out before their desire to play the game. I've read the big dogs used to jump 30 inches in agility- a legacy of obedience. I'm happy that went away.
Agility is so weird that way. "They" come up with a rule- big does must jump 26 inches to qualify for the World Team, but they don't take into account that dogs in other countries jumping 26 inches are running a different type of course. Also, I have been told not only are the style of the course different, but each size of dog (small, medium and large) run a different course with different spacing between the jumps. Therefore, the small dogs aren't running forever between jumps, and the large dogs are not taking one jump and landing on top of another.
USDAA runs 26 inches as a mandatory height instead of the "optional" 26 inch height in AKC, but those judges are used to thinking about 26 inch dogs (I hope) where in AKC the 26 inch dogs are an afterthought. What is the purpose of jumping so high anyway? I don't want it to be like flyball were the dogs are hardly jumping, but what do high jumps do for the sport, other than stop our dogs from competing for as long as they want? Their bodies give out before their desire to play the game. I've read the big dogs used to jump 30 inches in agility- a legacy of obedience. I'm happy that went away.
Friday, January 21, 2011
More Silliness
To Dottie:
(I'm a Little Teapot)
(I'm a Little Teapot)
I’m a little puppy
Tall and Skinny
Here is my tongue
Here is my tail
Open my crate,
And
Let me out!
To Pie: (who has experienced at least three of the following in one form or another)
Hush little Malinois
Don’t you cry
Mama’s going to buy you a mocking bird
If that mocking bird gets eat
Mama’s going to buy you some smelly feet
If that smelly foot gets chomped
Mama’s going to buy you a stagnate swamp
If that stagnate swamp is too clean
Mama’s going to buy you a bad guy so mean
If that bad guy so mean runs away
Mama’s going to buy you a rose bouquet
If that rose bouquet is torn to shreds
Mama’s going to buy you some agents comma Feds
If those agents prefer a GSD,
Mama’s going to keep you all for me!
Both of these evolved because when the Mals get whinny I do sing them Hush Little Malinois and the words change each time. I'm a Little Puppy came about because as Dottie wanders around the house causing trouble and I chastise her for it, she always seems to tell me, "But I'm just a little puppy, how can I be any trouble?"
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Schutzhund Training Videos
The Schutzhund training videos from Sunday.
Pie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F4dzw40Y5o
Dottie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KU29tKHtYM
I am happy to see that even when the girls get corrected, their tails never stop wagging.
We trained again Monday afternoon and Pie was... not quite as docile as normal. She was so excited and so into her work she wasn't listening very well. During the transport before we got into position she was actually quivering with anticipation.
For those who don't know- I'm leaving for Mississippi for my job for 2 months. I'm bringing the dogs. I'm starting to get anxious and I am lucky because that is an unusual state for me. In order to no longer be anxious, I've made a list of all the things I need to do before I leave and I've started moving things I'm going to take into my spare room. I can't start loading the trailer until a day before I leave due to laws about leaving it parked on the street. I feel better already.
Today the weather is beautiful and warm! Fancy is at the groomer's getting a haircut (can't take a dirty dog on a trip.) I'm going to have some lunch (left over from the club BBQ!) then sit outside and enjoy the sun, then cross some more items off my list by getting my car's oil changed and the coolant replaced. A full day a head of me (and probably not that thrilling to read about.)
Note: I also hope to squeeze in a jog and track all three dogs. There is a tracking test in Northern CA April 10th. Can I be ready for that? Can I get my dogs certified while I'm in MS??
Pie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F4dzw40Y5o
Dottie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KU29tKHtYM
I am happy to see that even when the girls get corrected, their tails never stop wagging.
We trained again Monday afternoon and Pie was... not quite as docile as normal. She was so excited and so into her work she wasn't listening very well. During the transport before we got into position she was actually quivering with anticipation.
For those who don't know- I'm leaving for Mississippi for my job for 2 months. I'm bringing the dogs. I'm starting to get anxious and I am lucky because that is an unusual state for me. In order to no longer be anxious, I've made a list of all the things I need to do before I leave and I've started moving things I'm going to take into my spare room. I can't start loading the trailer until a day before I leave due to laws about leaving it parked on the street. I feel better already.
Today the weather is beautiful and warm! Fancy is at the groomer's getting a haircut (can't take a dirty dog on a trip.) I'm going to have some lunch (left over from the club BBQ!) then sit outside and enjoy the sun, then cross some more items off my list by getting my car's oil changed and the coolant replaced. A full day a head of me (and probably not that thrilling to read about.)
Note: I also hope to squeeze in a jog and track all three dogs. There is a tracking test in Northern CA April 10th. Can I be ready for that? Can I get my dogs certified while I'm in MS??
Sunday, January 16, 2011
BBQ and SchH Training
Today was a great day of Schutzhund training and a BBQ. Great food, company and training!
For the first time I did an entire SchH 1 routine with Pie. She has never done the transport before but did well. I realized she hasn't done a true escape bite either. I figured that out when I was wondering- "Why is she staring at me? Doesn't she know the helper is about to run away?" Nope, she did not know! We did the entire routine, but not straight through. Mistakes were made and training was accomplished. The first wrong thing Pie did was get distracted by a sleeve on the field. Pie, Pie, Pie....
Pie has come such a long way. Watching the videos, I though- Wow- she doesn't look too bad.
A lot of times I don't actually get to see my dogs doing the bark and hold because by the time I get around the blind, they have already been given a bite as a reward for doing a good job. So by watching the videos I got to see both of them. Dottie is way too cute to ever be taken seriously. What a cute little one. I love how both of their tails wag the whole time. Dottie is coming along quickly. She started much later than Pie, but because her confidence did not need to be nurtured, she has been able to progress faster.
One more thing I learned by watching my videos is that Dottie gets excited hearing the voice of "her" helper coming out of the computer. She even tried out a "woof!" to see if that would get her anything. Here are pictures I took of other club members. And a few I had a member take of my dogs.
Doing the go out during obedience.
Pie and I heeling.
Attention.
Boxer doing the stand out of motion.
A young dog practicing heeling.
A different dog doing a go out.
Dottie over the hurdle.
A young dog doing "sack" work.
Running the blinds.
More running.
A bite.
Another young dog.
She is learning the game quickly!
About to run the blinds. Does he know he is being watched?
The transport.
You won't outrun this guy.
The boxer runs the blinds.
6 month old puppy (very young dog!) who knows her stuff.
Same girl posing for a picture. I really like sable GSDs.
Videos of Pie and Dottie in the next post.
For the first time I did an entire SchH 1 routine with Pie. She has never done the transport before but did well. I realized she hasn't done a true escape bite either. I figured that out when I was wondering- "Why is she staring at me? Doesn't she know the helper is about to run away?" Nope, she did not know! We did the entire routine, but not straight through. Mistakes were made and training was accomplished. The first wrong thing Pie did was get distracted by a sleeve on the field. Pie, Pie, Pie....
Pie has come such a long way. Watching the videos, I though- Wow- she doesn't look too bad.
A lot of times I don't actually get to see my dogs doing the bark and hold because by the time I get around the blind, they have already been given a bite as a reward for doing a good job. So by watching the videos I got to see both of them. Dottie is way too cute to ever be taken seriously. What a cute little one. I love how both of their tails wag the whole time. Dottie is coming along quickly. She started much later than Pie, but because her confidence did not need to be nurtured, she has been able to progress faster.
One more thing I learned by watching my videos is that Dottie gets excited hearing the voice of "her" helper coming out of the computer. She even tried out a "woof!" to see if that would get her anything. Here are pictures I took of other club members. And a few I had a member take of my dogs.
Doing the go out during obedience.
Pie and I heeling.
Attention.
Boxer doing the stand out of motion.
A young dog practicing heeling.
A different dog doing a go out.
Dottie over the hurdle.
A young dog doing "sack" work.
Running the blinds.
More running.
A bite.
Another young dog.
She is learning the game quickly!
About to run the blinds. Does he know he is being watched?
The transport.
You won't outrun this guy.
The boxer runs the blinds.
6 month old puppy (very young dog!) who knows her stuff.
Same girl posing for a picture. I really like sable GSDs.
Videos of Pie and Dottie in the next post.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Schutzhund Training Last Night
Dottie and Pie did well at schutzhund last night. At one point C (the helper) hid on one side of the blind, not in it. Dottie ran into the blind and popped into her sit and was about to start barking when she realized no one was in there. She spun out and around the blind and started her barking in front of C. We are having a BBQ this Sunday and K wants to recreate it and get it on tape, but I’m not sure she’ll fall for it twice. Pie is doing good at calling out of the blind. Dottie is not as good so we are doing a pick up with her when I walk in, tell her to sit, then heel her out. I was attempting to practice this and she wouldn’t look at me when I said heel. I popped her leash a few times to get her attention. It did not work. After I stopped yanking on her, C said, “What collar is she on?” She was on her small prong, which is harsher than Pie’s big prong. He was amused and told me to move it up higher, which I did with better results. Then, I tried to turn away from him into Dottie (left) but he told me to go right. Dottie would not come with me. She would look at me when I said, “Heel” then as soon as I tried to turn to the right she would just stare at the helper. Corrections had zero effect. Eventually K (who has Belgians) shouted, “Have her go left” and as soon as I pivoted left it was perfect. K said Belgians do not have the genetic material to go right. Silly, but maybe true?
All three (that includes Fancy) did well at tracking on Monday. The other day they wouldn’t down on the articles. So K (who has been helping me so much!) told me to make the track harder and now they are downing again. It is so cool because I am not using any food in the footsteps now, so it is totally real tracking. They get food reward after they down on the article. I love tracking and will write more about it later.
I did my run this morning and really pushed myself hard. Felt a little nauseous but my time was not better than my last time. I have trained the dogs to run at my slow pace so I know when I am going faster when I have to tell them to go faster because I end up between Dottie and Pie or kick the back of their legs with my toes.
I was just about to step out the door to go to agility when it started raining. I'm now waiting on a call to tell me if class is still on.
Just got the call and I'm off!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Bug Face
Pie has a body expression/ facial expression she uses when she finds a bug. She made it earlier today and I walked over with trepidation to see what she had found. Sure enough, it was a beetle type thing, semi-creepy. I squished it.
Pie seems to have mixed feelings about bugs and her special bug face reflects this. She is both intrigued and repulsed. She tips her ears at the found bug, pokes it a bit, then backs off, only to come back with tipped ears again. Sometimes she tastes the small critter but has not eaten any recently.
Pie is always entertaining!
Pie seems to have mixed feelings about bugs and her special bug face reflects this. She is both intrigued and repulsed. She tips her ears at the found bug, pokes it a bit, then backs off, only to come back with tipped ears again. Sometimes she tastes the small critter but has not eaten any recently.
Pie is always entertaining!
Mach 2 Pie
Yeah Pie! She got QQ number 19 on Friday, missed her a frame contact on Saturday, then got QQ number 20 on Sunday in the pouring rain! Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXd1uwcLS20
Pie is a great agility partner. She loves the game, which is the best part. When ever it is Fancy or Dottie's turn, she always gets excited, hoping I will pick her instead. Pie listens well and tires hard. She is getting so consistent, and is winning or placing more often. 3 weekends ago she came in first over 30 other dogs! Usually the 24 inch class is not that big.
Pie is wonderful!
Notice the rain in the picture!
Dottie also showed this weekend. She had an amazing jumpers run which did not get filmed. It was super fast and accurate, just one bar down. The rest of her runs were ok to good. Videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw8_nQCRu3M
Dottie now has 2 standard legs and one jumpers leg in open.
Dottie is mostly listening well. I hope she continues to increase her enjoyment of agility. She seems to enjoy it, but has "turned on" to it 100% yet. It might come with time.
Dottie checks out her ribbons from this weekend. My sister says the motivation for this scene is Scene: Cold, wet puppy. Lovingly wrapped up by owner after a
hard day of work. Look pitiful and put-upon. Be sure to tip one ear over for extra cuteness. Work hard to make everyone forget that you were once called "Knotty aka Naughty". Restrain urge to nibble ribbon, thereby reminding everyone that you really are trouble and quite possibly should have retained your original name. And....action!
Here is the final shot.
I cannot get the formatting right! This is a picture of Fancy with what is left of one of the toys the dogs got as "check in toys." Fancy, Pie, Dottie and Molly had this toy for playtime and only the head and one antenna is left. They kept brining these pitiful remains for me to throw.
Pie's ribbons from the three days of agility. The small green ribbon is a Q but no placement and the large green rosette is a QQ ribbon. She had 2 QQs but the club on Friday did not give out QQ ribbons. The ribbon between her feet is the MACH ribbon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXd1uwcLS20
Pie is a great agility partner. She loves the game, which is the best part. When ever it is Fancy or Dottie's turn, she always gets excited, hoping I will pick her instead. Pie listens well and tires hard. She is getting so consistent, and is winning or placing more often. 3 weekends ago she came in first over 30 other dogs! Usually the 24 inch class is not that big.
Pie is wonderful!
Notice the rain in the picture!Dottie also showed this weekend. She had an amazing jumpers run which did not get filmed. It was super fast and accurate, just one bar down. The rest of her runs were ok to good. Videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw8_nQCRu3M
Dottie now has 2 standard legs and one jumpers leg in open.
Dottie is mostly listening well. I hope she continues to increase her enjoyment of agility. She seems to enjoy it, but has "turned on" to it 100% yet. It might come with time.
Dottie checks out her ribbons from this weekend. My sister says the motivation for this scene is Scene: Cold, wet puppy. Lovingly wrapped up by owner after a
hard day of work. Look pitiful and put-upon. Be sure to tip one ear over for extra cuteness. Work hard to make everyone forget that you were once called "Knotty aka Naughty". Restrain urge to nibble ribbon, thereby reminding everyone that you really are trouble and quite possibly should have retained your original name. And....action!
Here is the final shot.
I cannot get the formatting right! This is a picture of Fancy with what is left of one of the toys the dogs got as "check in toys." Fancy, Pie, Dottie and Molly had this toy for playtime and only the head and one antenna is left. They kept brining these pitiful remains for me to throw.
Pie's ribbons from the three days of agility. The small green ribbon is a Q but no placement and the large green rosette is a QQ ribbon. She had 2 QQs but the club on Friday did not give out QQ ribbons. The ribbon between her feet is the MACH ribbon.
More Chirstmas Info and New Years Eve Remembered
I promised this in my last post but I'm not sure what I had in mind. Christmas was great, what more can I say? Of course I wish my sister and niece (that would be Claire and Laura) could have been here but that was the only non-perfect part. I was going to post some pictures of my human family members enjoying Christmas but those seem to be on my old SD card which is not where I thought it was. I hope I did not loose it! I got a brand new 16 GB SD card for Christmas. So much room for pictures and videos!
ffluffy came after Christmas to visit and go to agility shows. We showed together on Friday, Sat and Sunday of New Years. Friday was at one venue, under cover, then Sat and Sunday was at a different place, in a field, which is too bad since it poured rain. More on that later.
On Thursday I took the day off to be with ffluffy. We went walking on the road. I didn't bring the camera but of course should have. We departed from the usual plan of just staying on the road, and climbed on the remains of the dam. Dottie would not join us, instead whining at the top. I think she might be afraid of heights. Eventually we made our way down to the bottom, them climbed back up to the spot I had made it to from the top. This route Dottie could join us. With all the rain we've been having there was a very deep pool that the dogs could swim in. They could enter the pool from ground level or from the rock we were sitting on. It was a big drop- maybe 5 feet? Much larger than the drop off the official Dock Diving dock. Fancy was the first in, followed by Pickle. Eventually Pie went in also. Dottie was close, but could not be convinced. All the dogs swam and entered from ground level no problem.
After playing in the water we continued our walk. As we approached the end of the road which is the turn around point, a lone female jogger approached. We gathered the dogs up, I put Dottie on leash and the other 2 in a down and waited for her to pass. As a reminder, this is a National Forest so dogs are allowed off leash but must be under control. I always want people to have a positive experience around off leash dogs, which is why when ever we meet someone we put them on leash or in a down. I expected the lady to pass on by but instead she stopped and told us, "My husband is behind me and he has a pit bull and it fights and is uncontrollable so you need to put your dogs on leash."
Since our dogs were already on leash or under control that was obviously not a problem for us but the description sounded very unsafe. "Is his dog on leash?" I asked, and she responded, "Yes, but he is uncontrollable." To me that sounded like he might drag his owner across the road to attack our dogs- which already happened once on this road- a guy walking 2 boxers on pinch collars was pulled by his dog within inches of attacking distance of our on leash dogs before he was able to heave them away (crazy!) so we opted to turn around there.
I still want to believe in the intelligence of my fellow humans, so instead of being cynical and not being surprised by this encounter, I instead choose to be surprised that someone would choose to walk their "uncontrollable" dog in an area where off leash dogs are legally allowed. Instead I would walk my dog only where the leash law is in effect, and have a basket muzzle on him.
Even though our walk was cut short, it was still fun. I love letting my dogs swim.
On New Year's Eve I was invited to a party! Maybe I shouldn't let it be known that this is a big deal for me. ffluffy and I went and played lawn bowling (my first time) had some good food, and also played wii bowling- also my fist time. I came in second behind ffluffy by 2 points. Not bad, I think! Some of the attendees had a lot to drink so the lawn bowling and wii bowling got very rowdy. I thought it was a great party.
Our host gave us a bottle of wine with 2 GSDs biting a guy wearing a "Vick" jersey and it says- I got my wish for Christmas and I hope you get yours."
The party broke up before midnight- were were warned it would- so we drove home (watching out for drunks) and were in bed before the New Year- which is good since we had to make it to agility the next day.
On New Years Day Kiltman came to join ffluffy and we all ate wonderful traditional honey baked ham at my parent's house.
Happy New Year to everyone! Hope it is a good one!
In 2011 I hope to get Pie and Dottie's SchH one titles, and maybe be certified to enter an AKC tracking test.
ffluffy came after Christmas to visit and go to agility shows. We showed together on Friday, Sat and Sunday of New Years. Friday was at one venue, under cover, then Sat and Sunday was at a different place, in a field, which is too bad since it poured rain. More on that later.
On Thursday I took the day off to be with ffluffy. We went walking on the road. I didn't bring the camera but of course should have. We departed from the usual plan of just staying on the road, and climbed on the remains of the dam. Dottie would not join us, instead whining at the top. I think she might be afraid of heights. Eventually we made our way down to the bottom, them climbed back up to the spot I had made it to from the top. This route Dottie could join us. With all the rain we've been having there was a very deep pool that the dogs could swim in. They could enter the pool from ground level or from the rock we were sitting on. It was a big drop- maybe 5 feet? Much larger than the drop off the official Dock Diving dock. Fancy was the first in, followed by Pickle. Eventually Pie went in also. Dottie was close, but could not be convinced. All the dogs swam and entered from ground level no problem.
After playing in the water we continued our walk. As we approached the end of the road which is the turn around point, a lone female jogger approached. We gathered the dogs up, I put Dottie on leash and the other 2 in a down and waited for her to pass. As a reminder, this is a National Forest so dogs are allowed off leash but must be under control. I always want people to have a positive experience around off leash dogs, which is why when ever we meet someone we put them on leash or in a down. I expected the lady to pass on by but instead she stopped and told us, "My husband is behind me and he has a pit bull and it fights and is uncontrollable so you need to put your dogs on leash."
Since our dogs were already on leash or under control that was obviously not a problem for us but the description sounded very unsafe. "Is his dog on leash?" I asked, and she responded, "Yes, but he is uncontrollable." To me that sounded like he might drag his owner across the road to attack our dogs- which already happened once on this road- a guy walking 2 boxers on pinch collars was pulled by his dog within inches of attacking distance of our on leash dogs before he was able to heave them away (crazy!) so we opted to turn around there.
I still want to believe in the intelligence of my fellow humans, so instead of being cynical and not being surprised by this encounter, I instead choose to be surprised that someone would choose to walk their "uncontrollable" dog in an area where off leash dogs are legally allowed. Instead I would walk my dog only where the leash law is in effect, and have a basket muzzle on him.
Even though our walk was cut short, it was still fun. I love letting my dogs swim.
On New Year's Eve I was invited to a party! Maybe I shouldn't let it be known that this is a big deal for me. ffluffy and I went and played lawn bowling (my first time) had some good food, and also played wii bowling- also my fist time. I came in second behind ffluffy by 2 points. Not bad, I think! Some of the attendees had a lot to drink so the lawn bowling and wii bowling got very rowdy. I thought it was a great party.
Our host gave us a bottle of wine with 2 GSDs biting a guy wearing a "Vick" jersey and it says- I got my wish for Christmas and I hope you get yours."
The party broke up before midnight- were were warned it would- so we drove home (watching out for drunks) and were in bed before the New Year- which is good since we had to make it to agility the next day.
On New Years Day Kiltman came to join ffluffy and we all ate wonderful traditional honey baked ham at my parent's house.
Happy New Year to everyone! Hope it is a good one!
In 2011 I hope to get Pie and Dottie's SchH one titles, and maybe be certified to enter an AKC tracking test.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Training Flake
I was too lazy to go to Schutzhund training tonight. I'm disappointed in myself, but my dogs are disappointed even more so, with the possible exception of Fancy since all she does is sit in the car.
I wrote a poem about it: (ahem-)
I was too lazy to go to training today-
I stayed home, wishing it was the warm month of May.
Come trial day, every exercise we horribly failed-
And it was all my fault because on training I bailed.
Here is the situation from Pie's point of view-
Today was very boring
My owner was snoring.
We did not do anything fun,
And I did not get to run.
However, it might not be all bad,
I did not have to bite that guy (biting kind of makes me sad.)
Instead we stayed home
And I chewed on a ball and made lots of foam.
(I took the ball away from Pie- foam and all...)
And a gem from Dottie:
Today was bad
No fun to be had.
No biting.
No fighting.
I had my revenge
By being very annoying.
I know that does not rhyme but don't blame me, Dottie wrote it.
And Fancy is too sophisticated to go in for rhyming poetry:
I sit in the car
Alone.
Tears in my heart
But not in my eyes
Then I get some cheese
Or a hot dog bite
and I remember I don't
Like to work anyway
Except if I am bribed with food
and my heart sings with the
Joy of a
Yummy Snack.
Apparently she didn't get the memo we are not going to training. No
yummy snack to make her heart sing tonight.
Was this really a good use of my time? I really should have gone to training!
Coming up next time- more Christmas info, New Years Eve remembered and Pie Mach News!
I wrote a poem about it: (ahem-)
I was too lazy to go to training today-
I stayed home, wishing it was the warm month of May.
Come trial day, every exercise we horribly failed-
And it was all my fault because on training I bailed.
Here is the situation from Pie's point of view-
Today was very boring
My owner was snoring.
We did not do anything fun,
And I did not get to run.
However, it might not be all bad,
I did not have to bite that guy (biting kind of makes me sad.)
Instead we stayed home
And I chewed on a ball and made lots of foam.
(I took the ball away from Pie- foam and all...)
And a gem from Dottie:
Today was bad
No fun to be had.
No biting.
No fighting.
I had my revenge
By being very annoying.
I know that does not rhyme but don't blame me, Dottie wrote it.
And Fancy is too sophisticated to go in for rhyming poetry:
I sit in the car
Alone.
Tears in my heart
But not in my eyes
Then I get some cheese
Or a hot dog bite
and I remember I don't
Like to work anyway
Except if I am bribed with food
and my heart sings with the
Joy of a
Yummy Snack.
Apparently she didn't get the memo we are not going to training. No
yummy snack to make her heart sing tonight.
Was this really a good use of my time? I really should have gone to training!
Coming up next time- more Christmas info, New Years Eve remembered and Pie Mach News!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
A Good Dog Walk
On our favorite "road" on the day after Christmas, but I am being lazy and only posting a link to the pictures.
But now I remembered I am on my parent's faster network so I've posted many of the pictures here after all.
Here are a few of the best.
Dottie blends in.
Mom declares the mountain off level.
Pie jumps across a broken section of the road. Her tongue gets out of control.
Dottie jumps over and into a bush. Typical.
Fancy shows us all how it should be done.
Pie on the right. Mom and me in the middle. Dottie's tail on the left. But not Dottie's head. Maybe Molly's head?!
Synchronized dog swimming. New titling class!
Fancy the 2.5 legged wonder dog.
This off leash walking spot in in a Nat. Forest so it is legal to have your dogs off leash. However, it is easily accessible so it is becoming more and more popular. Our dogs are good and don't bother people, but when ever we see others we put them on leash to reassure the other people. As it becomes more popular, it is more unpractical to walk off leash there. Which is too bad because especially with the water, it is a great spot.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas 2010
Another Christmas come and gone! Had good times with my family.
First, we went to mass on Christmas Eve. My 2 brothers behind me.
Wearing my cape for pictures after wards.
The whole family that still lives in CA.
Pie posing with a bow on her tail.
Onto Christmas morning!
Dottie opening her present.
Pie almost ate her's with the wrapper on. I had to help.
Fancy carried hers around warped up until I helped her out.
My youngest bro, Dad and I went to see True Grit. It was good. My dogs waited for me to come home. Pie amused herself with her new toy, but Fancy apparently lay facing the front door until my Mom locked them up elsewhere.
My older younger bro got my dogs small rawhide bones. Fancy refused to eat hers, claiming it was too small. I supervised the Mals and they ate theirs carefully. Even if they had swallowed them whole, they are so small I don't think they would cause any problems.
Three dogs on the new toy.
Pie and Dottie. This isn't really a tug toy. It has lost a limb to Pie's chewing already. (While I was at the movie.)
Pie posing with the Mal Rescue Calendar I bought my Dad as a present.
Fancy posing with Dottie's new training dumbbell.
One brother got a Kinect and you have to move around while playing it. Dottie thought he was playing with her.
You can see a video of Dottie and I practicing with the dumbbell here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrRBuSLNB9Q
And here is Fancy pestering my Mom to play with her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVXpIoTpFeg
And finally, Fancy being "vicious" while tugging.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsGfOGvFMc8
First, we went to mass on Christmas Eve. My 2 brothers behind me.
Wearing my cape for pictures after wards.
The whole family that still lives in CA.
Pie posing with a bow on her tail.
Onto Christmas morning!
Dottie opening her present.
Pie almost ate her's with the wrapper on. I had to help.
Fancy carried hers around warped up until I helped her out.
My youngest bro, Dad and I went to see True Grit. It was good. My dogs waited for me to come home. Pie amused herself with her new toy, but Fancy apparently lay facing the front door until my Mom locked them up elsewhere.
My older younger bro got my dogs small rawhide bones. Fancy refused to eat hers, claiming it was too small. I supervised the Mals and they ate theirs carefully. Even if they had swallowed them whole, they are so small I don't think they would cause any problems.
Three dogs on the new toy.
Pie and Dottie. This isn't really a tug toy. It has lost a limb to Pie's chewing already. (While I was at the movie.)
Pie posing with the Mal Rescue Calendar I bought my Dad as a present.
Fancy posing with Dottie's new training dumbbell.
One brother got a Kinect and you have to move around while playing it. Dottie thought he was playing with her.
You can see a video of Dottie and I practicing with the dumbbell here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrRBuSLNB9Q
And here is Fancy pestering my Mom to play with her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVXpIoTpFeg
And finally, Fancy being "vicious" while tugging.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsGfOGvFMc8
Friday, December 24, 2010
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