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Thursday, May 26, 2011
Finally a nice dayYesterday was beautiful, so of course I cleaned and washed the floors downstairs - duh. What was I thinking... all that flooring
has to be vacuumed and washed ~~sigh~~. But it's done and this morning my back is feeling pretty good considering.
Took
the dogs out to play late afternoon, cleaned out their pool and played chuck-it. Kirby got a big case of the "zoomies"
she was racing all over and then body slamming Darby until he gave in and played with her. He rarely gets the zoomies but
when he does it's fun to watch. Kirby can literally run circles around him but when he runs flat out it is "beauty"
in motion. Get a lot of still action shots. Still figuring out this video thing. You can see them on facebook, just search
for Darby & Kirby to find their page. Please stop by and "like" them!! Gotta run to work - later. V
10:41 am
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Not much happens these days...I have been working since mid-January and busy almost every evening. So, I haven't had time for much and have had NO interest
to be on the computer when I am home. I am on it all day and want to spend time with the dogs and Mellie when I am home.
But it is almost over and soon (very soon) Darby, Kirby and I will be headed to the Cape with Mom and Scully for the summer.
I will have plenty of time to visit my favorite forum again, catch up with all those Golden lovers and share picture and
stories there and here on my site.
Darby has been making great strides in Rally class. He is turning into a beautiful
"heeler". My goodness, there is nothing that feels quite like looking down into those huge brown eyes when he is
heeling by my side. Just perfect. We haven't made much progress in the TD training, I just am not home to work him and the
weather is NOT cooperating at all. We do work his stays in class and make a little progress, but he is a sharp cookie and
works the treat angel to his benefit, little brat.
Missy Kirby is having the best time in Agility, almost got those
weave poles closed. Nailing her contacts nicely (she LOVES the dog walk and A frame). The teeter needs work but we are getting
there. Now if she would just work away from me a little ... she is having a hard time with jumps that are not in a straight
line but as I have been told it is a Golden thing so she is only doing what her instincts are telling her. Best part is that
she doesn't run off, she listens and follows direction and is having a wonderful time.
Miss Melanie is adjusting to
her food bowls being moved to a new location, easier access for her but she is really not happy. She is adjusting but I am
reminded daily of her displeasure. I am sure that by September she will be all right. Maybe!!
Hopefully more updates
as we go. Later!
12:23 pm
Friday, March 11, 2011
Good Morning Nothing but Happy updates.
Darby and I are in training for TD and yesterday we went to PetsMart to work on "stays" and "meeting people".
He did very well with his stays, we walked around for a bit to get the excitement out and to sniff all the good stuff.
Then we got down to walking "with" me as opposed to ahead of me, we came around a corner and there was the cutest Bernie pup
and a little toy dog. So we did our first sit stay with Darbs by my side - no saying hi. That went
well so we did a down stay and he did a good 15 seconds - it may not sound like much but the puppy was bouncing around and
the toy kept trying to come over and say hi. I did frequent reinforcements and after 2 stays we got up, turned around
and went down another aisle, he didn't hesitate, just went right with me not even tried to go say hi to the pups - now
that was a significant positive. We met a young couple who have a 2 month Golden at home, Darbs was very good,
stayed by my side as we spoke and when he was calmer (calm is not yet in the vocabulary) I let them pet him, he got up (into
a stand) but listened when I told him to sit, the significance was no jumping up not even an attempt at it.
We did several more "stays" working our way up to 3 -10 minute continuous stays for a total stay of 30 seconds or
more. Yes, frequent reinforcments. We met several more people and dogs and he remained excited but in control
of himself. After 15 - 20 minutes we went home - a very good first time.
Kirby had Agility last night, she learned to jump through the tire, not easy as she doesn't like to
walk under things. I lured her the first couple of times and then I was able to send her through with a "go tire" and
she leaped through - no worries!! She learns so fast it is just amazing... We then learned Weave Poles
- at first she kept popping out at the 4th pole (when calling her through - 6 poles to start) then we put a target out and
I would send her (running by her side) through to the target - well Little Miss FOOD didn't even notice the poles
once she saw the food.... ZOOOOMMMM!!!!! I think she got it and zoomed through even with them closed
half way. It is so much easier training a calm, food oriented dog. :)
I rented the ring this weekend, we will work on weave pole, run some jumps, work on Darby's stays (wth Kirby) and also
do some heel work and loose lead walking. I am hoping to also work on the meeting people with my neighbor, if he can
meet her calmly that will be huge.
So, all that plus clean the house, laundry, put the Christmas stuff away in the basement and start the outside work....
and 40 hours (that's part time??) in the office/lottery. Life is Good!! :)
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Darby UpdateDarbs had a very busy weekend, Saturday was bath day which started with a BIG brushing. It was very nice (60) so
we went out on the deck and I pulled out the undercoat rake and "had at it", an hour and 2 tons of fur later; I had two
well brushed dogs and me and the back yard were covered in blonde fur. The birds will be thrilled - nice cozy nests
for those eggs.
Then into the bath tub for a scrubbing and conditioning and the out in the yard to ROLL IN THE MUD!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, anyway.... Sunday Darby was evaluated for Therapy Dog training and he has some work to do. At least Valerie
saw him at his best (worst) and we have a list of areas to begin with such as NOT jumping up on people, STAYING on command
and walking on a LOOSE leash. However, he passed the walker/wheel chair test with flying colors; basically he doesn't
care about the contraption he only "sees" the people, which is a wonderful thing. So we will be working on his
"stay" - not one of his strong points, never has been. And he must learn to stay calm when meeting people- oh-yeah.
My big happy, exuberant boy just bubbles over when he gets to meet a new person, he is just a tad-bit too joyful.... :)
And he has gotten it into his head that he can jump on people (thanks to me and Kirby; it was something she has learned to
do on command in attn. class - ~~sigh~~).
Last night Darby had his Rally O class, now he started about 4 weeks ago and it was a distasterous start (I knew it would
be) as "Goofy" was all over the place wanting to meet all the new people and dogs. Jude (our instructor) learned quickly
that he is very different then Kirby, HAH, and that he is ball obessed and I do mean "OBESSED" to the point
that just removing the ball doesn't remove the focus - oh-no - not my boy, he saw the ball, he wants the ball
and He Will Find the Ball!! She made the mistake of picking them up and stuffing them
in to her pocket.... LOL I was so tempted to let him go.... but I didn't think Jude would like being knock over and drooled
on. :)
Well, last night (only his 4th class) was a minor miracle, he was the star, after a brief goof-ball period (2 signs)
he focused and heeled beautifully for both runs. It was wonderful, he was just amazing and it was a hard course.
I am so thrilled and proud of him, I just know he can be a wonderful TD one of these days and bring smiles to a lot of people
just like last fall in PTown.
That's it for now... Bye
Kirby UpdateHer Royal Highness the Princess Kirby completed her Attention classes and did very well. Her heel work is vastly
improved and we will continue to work as heeling is an ongoing thing. Her auto "sit" has improved and so has her "front".
Best of all her confidence is coming back and she is once again my happy bouncy pup but now she wants to be with me and pays
attention much more then ever before. This is a continous exercise and we are by no means ready for the ring yet, but
the basis is there and we will just keep working on it. We are not is any rush.
Kirby also started Intro to Agility Equipment and is LOVING it!! I think she is a natural, a little hesitant on
new equipment but the minute she understands what I am asking her to do - BOOM - she gets it. She truly is a wonderful
dog to work with, so much fun!! Thursday we will learn weave poles. I am hoping she gets the idea quickly
and then can help me get Darby to understand what I am asking for, he will do it when I lead him but he just doesn't
"get it".
I rented the ring this past Sunday and we had a blast running for an hour, both dogs. Darby of course running off
and exploring and Kirby focused and listening. They got a break, I ran for the whole hour.... exhausting but fun.
I had two of the sleepiest pups Sunday evening. :)
More from Kirby later....
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