31 Days of Training - Day 4

Today's training session could have been easily been changed to a night on the couch playing the game "4 Pics 1 Word" - but that didn't happen.

Monday night is class night for us. The boys each are each in an agility sequencing class, which means I run for two hours! (OK, not two hours straight, but you know what I mean.)

Tonight's course worked rear crosses. That's not really our thing, but we gave it a try.

Louie (who I was calling my "teenager" all night) did awesome! He ran very, very well. He ran like a youngster and his rear crosses were executed well.

Teddy showed me that I shouldn't ever get over confident. He does well at home, but we are still working on his level of enthusiasm away from home. He did OK, but rear cross work didn't help to build his excitement. We tried, though!

We signed up tonight for the spring session. Both boys are taking Drills. I'm teaching one section of Drills, so both boys will have to be in the same Drills class, after the one I teach. Good thing they jump different heights; hopefully that will give me some breathing time in between runs!

On top of all that, I'll be running my new agility partner, Buddy, in agility fundamentals class. Buddy will help get Lou and Ted a little jealous before their class, which never hurts.

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Training Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 = complete!

Gave Annie a bath and a haircut. After that, she wasn't interested in hanging out in the basement (where we train), so she got another day off.

The boys worked weaves, heeling, and turns ("switch"). We have rear crosses in class tomorrow, so we were trying to get ready.

We also got more TV watching and napping in today.


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31 Days of Training - Day 2 (yesterday)

I didn't think a tough day would come so soon - but it did ... on the second day. I really didn't feel like doing much, except hang out, watch TV, and take naps. Things my dogs enjoy too.

I did get a lot of hanging out, TV watching, and napping done, but I also worked with my dogs too. I couldn't skip the SECOND day of a training challenge I created!!!

The boys and I played and did some trick training. They each have a bunch of tricks that they know. Some they haven't worked in a while.

Annie was enjoying a nice nap. I didn't want to disturb the princess.

When I first took Louie (the oldest) to puppy kindergarten, the instructor gave us a homework assignment: learn a trick. I was able to teach Louie to sneeze on command. No, I didn't come up with the idea myself; I watched a show on Animal Planet where someone did the same thing. Give the dog a treat when he sneezes. I tried it and worked with him to understand the command "sneeze."

Now, Louie will offer an over-exaggerated AH-CHOO when he wants something. I created a sneezing monster.

Louie can:
- Sneeze on command
- Bark on command
- High five
- Roll over
- Go "nite nite" (lay on his side)
- Jump up and touch my hand with his nose
- Go between my legs "through"
- Get in his "house" (kennel)
- Get his ball / green guy

Annie can:
- High five
- Roll over
- Go to her kennel

Teddy can:
- High five
- Stand on his hind legs and "twirl" around
- Go between my legs "through"
- Jump into my arms
- Bark at howl at "strangers" when I say "What was that?"
- Go to his kennel






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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.

Important Dog Meeting in the Living Room

I may have interrupted an important dog meeting yesterday morning.



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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

Windy Westie Photo Day

Yesterday, during the super windy afternoon, I was able to spend some time with my friend Dawn and her West Highland White Terrier, Einstein, for some photos in the park.  We were able to get a few good ones where it didn't look like he was going to blow away to Oz!  (That's a different kind of terrier that does that.)

And here's Einstein showing off how smart he is (he lives up to his name, of course):

It's been a while since I have posted to the blog; I need to share more often.