31 Days of Training - Day One

I created a training challenge on my Shih Tzu Agility blog called 31 Days of Training.  Each day, participants practice "something" with their dog(s) - agility, obedience, tricks, manners.  Just a little bit each day makes a difference and strengthens the dog/owner bond.

Today was "Day One" - here is my training session:

Louie - worked contacts (running on a board) and weaves - channel (six poles) and weave entrances.

Note to self: It's difficult to take pictures (and train).  Just don't have enough free arms.  Use the tripod and the remote.

Teddy: Worked weaves (send thru the channel weaves) using the Ready Treat remote trainer.

Annie: Couldn't wait for her turn.  Was so excited she nearly jumped off of the back of the couch into the training area.  We worked on obedience - heeling and recalls.

Day 1 = Success!  Looking forward to Day 2.

Louie - before the show

I took this photo of Louie right before we were going to leave for a "dog show" - agility trial.  He was so excited to go that he didn't want to "stay" for a picture.  I was able to get this quick one before he raced for the door. 



He qualified that weekend - was 20 seconds under course time.  Not bad for a dog who is almost thirteen years old.

Louie's Agility Run

Happy Birthday, Leapin Louie

Today is a very special day - it's Leapin Louie's birthday!  He's 12 (or three ... depending how you look at it - and that's not the first time I've said that today!)

Louie is my first Shih Tzu and what has got me involved in this "crazy" world of dogs.  I thought this would be a good opportunity to share Louie's story.

I got interested in Shih Tzu when a friend of mine bought one.  Baxter shares a birthday with me and I'm his special Auntie.

THE SEARCH ...
In 2000, when we were in the process of building our first home, I knew that we needed a dog (the cats disagreed).  I started my search in early March.  My original search consisted of a call to my vet for referrals.  This lead to a chain of phone calls which eventually led me to Louie's breeder, who was about two hours southwest of here.  I wanted a male, and she had just had a litter of three pups, one was male.  Something about this seemed "right" to me, so I agreed to put a deposit on him, sight unseen.  What a risky move!  She said that we could plan a visit to see him at about six weeks of age, and we'd pick him up a few weeks later.

It occurred to me after I hung up the phone that the breeder mentioned the litter being born about "a week an a half ago" - which was close to February 29th.  When I talked to her again, I asked the date of birth ... sure enough, leap year pups.

This is one of the first pictures I have of Louie - he's on the right.

THEN CAME THE WAITING ...

In the weeks to follow, I started planning for our "new arrival."  Pets.com had been recently launched and I did quite a bit of my first ever online shopping.  (Louie still has a toy from those initial purchases.)  

We got to go down and visit with Louie when he turned six weeks old.  I borrowed my friend's digital camera and took some pictures.  (First time I ever used a digital camera!)  By this time, we already knew that we wanted to name him Louie, but hadn't thought of a "registered" name for him.

 That's me with Louie.  Ignore my perm.

 Louie is less than thrilled about the basket pose.

 So cute - mini Louie.

 First "Smilin' Lou" photo

Cute puppy belly.

MORE TO COME!