Friday, December 9, 2011
How to kill a red cabbage
Tomorrow is George's birthday, and I'm cooking him a nice German dinner (sauerbraten, red cabbage, spaetzel, a few other things, and German choc cake). Made the cabbage ahead today in order that it is properly seasoned for tomorrow. Fizz seems to have a penchant for rolling on vegetables, we've seen this behavior many times. Today, I thought to capture it on video. Puppies are a wonderful source of joy and entertainment!! :)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
At the end of a month......
Fizz was 12wks on Sunday, and has been here a month now. I'm just amazed to see how far she's come. Its been tiring at times, this new journey we're on. No verbal or physical corrections. Logging all of my training, which is typically 6-8 mini sessions per day. Some days, I go to bed so exhausted I can't even remember what I did (thus a new system of tracking my training has emerged). I don't ever remember a puppy tiring me so much, but I don't think I ever put this level of detail/effort into a puppy either (meanwhile, keeping up with my 3.5 & 6yr olds!). :)
I keep a 3-ring binder with all of my training notes. Each day contains details of each training session, including: time, location, treats used, games played, and then an assessment of how it went. At the end of the day, I look to see how much of each thing was accomplished, and based on that, and my weekly plan/goal, decide what to move forward with for the next day. If I've missed something for a few days, or not gotten enough reps of it in, then it goes on high priority for the upcoming day.
Being a scientist by training, keeping notebooks is not foreign. However, I was not finding the time to NEATLY enter the level of detail that I wanted. So....now I have a scribblebook (composition notebook) and my decorated 3 ring binder. The scribblebook is used through-out the day, to quickly enter notes about what happened when. Just before bed, I sit down to re-write it, putting into detail what went on.
At the end of our first month, I have a puppy who is tightly bonded to me, yet confident to go meet any one new who crosses her path, and self-confident enough to hang out with someone if I choose to hand the leash off and walk away. Today, we walked down the street, around the corner, and met a "tree dude." Two HUGE diesel trucks were running, one of which was also hauling a monster-sized chipper. The other 'tree dude' was using the chain saw and cutting the remainder of a fore-shortened tree into manageable sized logs. None of this bothered her one whit. She was so excited to meet someone new: a big thick man, wearing an eye-bleeding yellow jacket (you know, that new safety color that so many have), thick blue rubber gloves, and his bright orange hard hat - hearing protector contraption. He was QUITE the sight, and certainly not like anyone else we've met. But he was excited to see her, and she just calmly went right up to him, and nestled in for pets. The trainer in me was VERY happy with her confidence. If we ever meet an obed judge in tree gear, at a very loud trial........we're down with that. :)
Fizz travels beautifully in the car, and has since Day 1. She just goes to sleep and does not try to crate surf, nor bobble around as I'm driving. No car sickness, no barking at anything.....just lovely! In a similar vein, when we're at our competition obedience class, she lies quietly in her crate until it's time to come out and work. Fizz ADORES other dogs and people, I would rate them as an A++ level distraction at times. However, when it's our turn to watch, she is wonderfully quiet and sedate. I sure hope that continues as she matures.
We've established, through games, that treats on the floor are NOT fair game, just for the taking. Neither are treats in my hand, or on the counter..........and funny enough, neither are toys. She will hold a sit while I drop a favorite tug to the floor within a foot of her. I can take that same tug and snake it around, and even whack the ground with it. She just looks like "what, you think I'm gonna fall for that?!" She explodes into it on release, and we have wonderful games of tug and puppy bounce. :) Her ability to maintain a down is similar, even though we've not worked on it much at all (maybe twice in the past month?). She's generalizing the "Its Yer Choice" (Susan Garrett) game very nicely.
Retrieve work is started. She races out to whatever I throw out, quickly picks it up, turns, and comes straight back to me. Currently, I kneel on the floor when we play this game, and her default behavior is to dive between my legs. No growling when I pet her, and if I put out a hand as she comes in, she'll bring it to my hand. I have not worked that behavior yet, and its on our list to solidify over the next month. When I was visiting the litter, Fizz brought a few toys near me, but often seemed to want to get off away from her littermates and enjoy whatever prize she'd shopped. I don't care about puppy tests, PAT, or otherwise. I didn't need to see what she'd do with a crinkled paper ball, or if she'd bring it back. I wanted to see her natural carrying behavior (calm, not mouthy), and her natural interest level in people in general throughout the day (high). I knew that with solid calm carrying and an interest in people, simply building a strong, positive relationship would generate a good retrieve in the early stages........and that is playing out! I have never done a forced retrieve of any kind on any dog, and I don't plan to ever change that. In 5 trials, Froli never lost points on her retrieves (3x SchH1, 2x ScHH2).
Needless to say, I absolutely adore this puppy and am having a blast training with her. :)
I keep a 3-ring binder with all of my training notes. Each day contains details of each training session, including: time, location, treats used, games played, and then an assessment of how it went. At the end of the day, I look to see how much of each thing was accomplished, and based on that, and my weekly plan/goal, decide what to move forward with for the next day. If I've missed something for a few days, or not gotten enough reps of it in, then it goes on high priority for the upcoming day.
Being a scientist by training, keeping notebooks is not foreign. However, I was not finding the time to NEATLY enter the level of detail that I wanted. So....now I have a scribblebook (composition notebook) and my decorated 3 ring binder. The scribblebook is used through-out the day, to quickly enter notes about what happened when. Just before bed, I sit down to re-write it, putting into detail what went on.
At the end of our first month, I have a puppy who is tightly bonded to me, yet confident to go meet any one new who crosses her path, and self-confident enough to hang out with someone if I choose to hand the leash off and walk away. Today, we walked down the street, around the corner, and met a "tree dude." Two HUGE diesel trucks were running, one of which was also hauling a monster-sized chipper. The other 'tree dude' was using the chain saw and cutting the remainder of a fore-shortened tree into manageable sized logs. None of this bothered her one whit. She was so excited to meet someone new: a big thick man, wearing an eye-bleeding yellow jacket (you know, that new safety color that so many have), thick blue rubber gloves, and his bright orange hard hat - hearing protector contraption. He was QUITE the sight, and certainly not like anyone else we've met. But he was excited to see her, and she just calmly went right up to him, and nestled in for pets. The trainer in me was VERY happy with her confidence. If we ever meet an obed judge in tree gear, at a very loud trial........we're down with that. :)
Fizz travels beautifully in the car, and has since Day 1. She just goes to sleep and does not try to crate surf, nor bobble around as I'm driving. No car sickness, no barking at anything.....just lovely! In a similar vein, when we're at our competition obedience class, she lies quietly in her crate until it's time to come out and work. Fizz ADORES other dogs and people, I would rate them as an A++ level distraction at times. However, when it's our turn to watch, she is wonderfully quiet and sedate. I sure hope that continues as she matures.
We've established, through games, that treats on the floor are NOT fair game, just for the taking. Neither are treats in my hand, or on the counter..........and funny enough, neither are toys. She will hold a sit while I drop a favorite tug to the floor within a foot of her. I can take that same tug and snake it around, and even whack the ground with it. She just looks like "what, you think I'm gonna fall for that?!" She explodes into it on release, and we have wonderful games of tug and puppy bounce. :) Her ability to maintain a down is similar, even though we've not worked on it much at all (maybe twice in the past month?). She's generalizing the "Its Yer Choice" (Susan Garrett) game very nicely.
Retrieve work is started. She races out to whatever I throw out, quickly picks it up, turns, and comes straight back to me. Currently, I kneel on the floor when we play this game, and her default behavior is to dive between my legs. No growling when I pet her, and if I put out a hand as she comes in, she'll bring it to my hand. I have not worked that behavior yet, and its on our list to solidify over the next month. When I was visiting the litter, Fizz brought a few toys near me, but often seemed to want to get off away from her littermates and enjoy whatever prize she'd shopped. I don't care about puppy tests, PAT, or otherwise. I didn't need to see what she'd do with a crinkled paper ball, or if she'd bring it back. I wanted to see her natural carrying behavior (calm, not mouthy), and her natural interest level in people in general throughout the day (high). I knew that with solid calm carrying and an interest in people, simply building a strong, positive relationship would generate a good retrieve in the early stages........and that is playing out! I have never done a forced retrieve of any kind on any dog, and I don't plan to ever change that. In 5 trials, Froli never lost points on her retrieves (3x SchH1, 2x ScHH2).
Needless to say, I absolutely adore this puppy and am having a blast training with her. :)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Crate games rock!
We've been working on Susan Garrett's Crate Games (DVD), and today I saw a lot of things starting to come together in her head.....awesome to watch! :) Susan uses CG to teach duration sits, sit under distraction, and it builds very nicely into startline stays, sit at the door before going out, and sit "stays" (if you use the word "stay", I don't).
One of the criteria is that the dog sit at the back of the crate, in order that they are further back from the door (and thus have a better chance of maintaining the criteria of "no part of the dog breaks the plane of the door"). Fizz usually starts in the back, because she's run into the crate to start the games. However, if we have a rep where she breaks, and the door is closed, she's often in the mid or front section. I've been waiting her out and rewarding any movement (head turn, foot starting to move) towards the back of the crate for the past 2 sessions.
Today, we took the crate outside, a new environment, so I was expecting to loosen a few criteria. Boy did she show me. She upped the ante! :) I only got her to break her sit once, by putting a whole bowl of treats down inside the crate. After that, she was sitting in the middle of the crate. She didn't just think about moving back, she very forcefully pushed her whole self back, still in her tight sit. Really cute to watch, and exciting to see her thinking so much about it.
Today's distractions included: being outside, Emilie standing nearby (Emilie is ADORED by Fizz)....neither of these factored very much into "Yer Out, Yer In!" Individual pieces of treat placed in the crate, a bowl of treats, me being 10-12ft away (door open), me running away for 5 full-stride paces, a tug dropped to the ground in front of the crate (open door), a tug being wiggled in the crate. She actually hopped up and back at that one as if to say "I am NOT falling for it, see me, I'm FAR FAR away!" The beauty of this is that it is all HER CHOICE. No force, no "have to." It is her choice to stay sitting and earn the reward, despite the distractions.
Because she's doing so well with both the tight sit, and working through distraction, a name will soon be put to the behavior (sit), and we'll bring it out of the crate (working distraction elsewhere, and also start line sits). Susan had amazing success with Swagger, and it's just the best feeling to see the same "coming together" in Fizz! :)
One of the criteria is that the dog sit at the back of the crate, in order that they are further back from the door (and thus have a better chance of maintaining the criteria of "no part of the dog breaks the plane of the door"). Fizz usually starts in the back, because she's run into the crate to start the games. However, if we have a rep where she breaks, and the door is closed, she's often in the mid or front section. I've been waiting her out and rewarding any movement (head turn, foot starting to move) towards the back of the crate for the past 2 sessions.
Today, we took the crate outside, a new environment, so I was expecting to loosen a few criteria. Boy did she show me. She upped the ante! :) I only got her to break her sit once, by putting a whole bowl of treats down inside the crate. After that, she was sitting in the middle of the crate. She didn't just think about moving back, she very forcefully pushed her whole self back, still in her tight sit. Really cute to watch, and exciting to see her thinking so much about it.
Today's distractions included: being outside, Emilie standing nearby (Emilie is ADORED by Fizz)....neither of these factored very much into "Yer Out, Yer In!" Individual pieces of treat placed in the crate, a bowl of treats, me being 10-12ft away (door open), me running away for 5 full-stride paces, a tug dropped to the ground in front of the crate (open door), a tug being wiggled in the crate. She actually hopped up and back at that one as if to say "I am NOT falling for it, see me, I'm FAR FAR away!" The beauty of this is that it is all HER CHOICE. No force, no "have to." It is her choice to stay sitting and earn the reward, despite the distractions.
Because she's doing so well with both the tight sit, and working through distraction, a name will soon be put to the behavior (sit), and we'll bring it out of the crate (working distraction elsewhere, and also start line sits). Susan had amazing success with Swagger, and it's just the best feeling to see the same "coming together" in Fizz! :)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Beginning scent discrimination work - 11 wks
Susan Garrett highly recommends video taping your session work, so that you can review it, see what really went on, and have good information for your training log. As I worked this session, it felt like a *huge* fail to me. I felt like we had very few correct responses, and all she was doing was grabbing the empty 'wrong' container. In watching, I see far more correct responses than it seemed when I was training. I'm very thankful for having the video (even if James knocks the camera to the ground), and being able to see that it was better than it felt.
We started last night with working a series of plates, building from 1 to 5. She did very well with that, but not so well with the plastic containers. She kept grabbing empty containers and just settling in to chew on them. I had her on leash last night, so she couldn't really go anywhere with them. Today, while off-leash, we are enclosed in an ex-pen. I did one round of plates this a.m. to warm up, and then tried to work the containers.
Some background info: Fizz had a vet appointment yesterday and received a vaccine. She ate little dinner last night, and even less breakfast this a.m. B/c she's missed 2 meals, she looks rail thin, her metabolism is so high, she can't afford to be skipping meals right now. :( Her energy and attitude have still been good, so I don't think she's ill, though maybe a bit flat from the vaccine yesterday. I would prefer to see a stronger search for the right container, I know she can follow a scent trail and be very focused in doing so. After seeing how today's session went, I will wait a few days before trying this again, AND try using a different treat, perhaps something more enticing.
I've never seen her just go lie down on the floor, and she does several times in this video. That is what makes me think she's a bit flat from the vax yesterday.
We started last night with working a series of plates, building from 1 to 5. She did very well with that, but not so well with the plastic containers. She kept grabbing empty containers and just settling in to chew on them. I had her on leash last night, so she couldn't really go anywhere with them. Today, while off-leash, we are enclosed in an ex-pen. I did one round of plates this a.m. to warm up, and then tried to work the containers.
Some background info: Fizz had a vet appointment yesterday and received a vaccine. She ate little dinner last night, and even less breakfast this a.m. B/c she's missed 2 meals, she looks rail thin, her metabolism is so high, she can't afford to be skipping meals right now. :( Her energy and attitude have still been good, so I don't think she's ill, though maybe a bit flat from the vaccine yesterday. I would prefer to see a stronger search for the right container, I know she can follow a scent trail and be very focused in doing so. After seeing how today's session went, I will wait a few days before trying this again, AND try using a different treat, perhaps something more enticing.
I've never seen her just go lie down on the floor, and she does several times in this video. That is what makes me think she's a bit flat from the vax yesterday.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
A night out
For months before Fizz arrived, I worked on putting together (and revising!) my "Insane Puppy Socialization Plan." Fizz is to be my obedience partner, among other things, and I don't want to worry about ANYTHING that may come our way in a trial. I don't care if the judge is on stilts, with a toy train running about her wide brimmed hat and her wig falls off. That's fine, we'll still be working. I want Fizz to think that's an every-day occurrence, and not worthy of note.
So....we're going out everywhere that we can, finding anything and everything to experience, and basically trying to see the whole world and all its oddities. Tonight, we went out to a local Catholic facility who has a few acres of walking paths, and an amazing light display at Christmas time, complete with beautiful Christmas hymns. I had hoped that on such a warm night (65F), there would be a lot of people out. However, it's early in the season, and I wondered tonight if not many people realize that the shrine is open for lights.
Fizz had a grand time wandering about, met a few people including 2 young girls (sisters) who have an 8mos Boxer pup at home. Because we were so busy sniffing things, hubby and the kids got ahead of us. At one point, she put her nose to the ground, and I could hear those deep inhale/exhale sounds of a dog working a track. She pulled me right up a steep hill (in the dark), and around to where the kids were. Big praise for that!
As we were finishing our tour, the rain started, at a fairly steady pace. Fizz's nose shot straight up in the air, and she started biting at the rain, I haven't laughed so hard in ages. Never have I seen a puppy "attack" the rain....but I tell you, this girl's prey drive.............she's a dream! Again, the kids and hubby got well ahead of us, and this time, she tracked solidly on a hard surface (paved sidewalk). The focus and intensity were awesome to see. The tracking history behind Fizz is amazingly strong, and I look forward to having her out one day on the TD/TDX/VST fields.
So tonight's experience brought us: new people to meet, scent work, new environment at night, areas of loud music, lit/moving things (taller than me), and some simple work (hand targets, name game) in a very new and different environment. There is no such thing as too much socialization!!
So....we're going out everywhere that we can, finding anything and everything to experience, and basically trying to see the whole world and all its oddities. Tonight, we went out to a local Catholic facility who has a few acres of walking paths, and an amazing light display at Christmas time, complete with beautiful Christmas hymns. I had hoped that on such a warm night (65F), there would be a lot of people out. However, it's early in the season, and I wondered tonight if not many people realize that the shrine is open for lights.
Fizz had a grand time wandering about, met a few people including 2 young girls (sisters) who have an 8mos Boxer pup at home. Because we were so busy sniffing things, hubby and the kids got ahead of us. At one point, she put her nose to the ground, and I could hear those deep inhale/exhale sounds of a dog working a track. She pulled me right up a steep hill (in the dark), and around to where the kids were. Big praise for that!
As we were finishing our tour, the rain started, at a fairly steady pace. Fizz's nose shot straight up in the air, and she started biting at the rain, I haven't laughed so hard in ages. Never have I seen a puppy "attack" the rain....but I tell you, this girl's prey drive.............she's a dream! Again, the kids and hubby got well ahead of us, and this time, she tracked solidly on a hard surface (paved sidewalk). The focus and intensity were awesome to see. The tracking history behind Fizz is amazingly strong, and I look forward to having her out one day on the TD/TDX/VST fields.
So tonight's experience brought us: new people to meet, scent work, new environment at night, areas of loud music, lit/moving things (taller than me), and some simple work (hand targets, name game) in a very new and different environment. There is no such thing as too much socialization!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Learning Susan Garrett's stand
Fizz turned 11wks today. I need to get her on the scale, but I'm guessing she's 20+ lbs. We're in another "loooong" spell and whereas Wednes she looked quite fine, on Thurs, she looked as if I hadn't fed her in a week. Egads, I'd pay for that kind of metabolism!!
A few weeks ago, I posted video of Vikka learning a new method to Stand, as taught by Susan Garrett. Fizz is familiar with hand targets, and today I decided to work on teaching her the stand. Her natural "leapiness" fed right into the method, and I have no doubt that once I get my mechanics figured out, this will come right together.
We've been working a lot the past three weeks on value for me, attitude and focus during work, and the fact that work = play = work (Thank you S.G.!!). Fizz is showing me a love of playing and working, and a willingness to take this journey in AKC Obedience with me. I'm so excited!! Here are 3 photos from this afternoon which embody all that we've been working on.
A few weeks ago, I posted video of Vikka learning a new method to Stand, as taught by Susan Garrett. Fizz is familiar with hand targets, and today I decided to work on teaching her the stand. Her natural "leapiness" fed right into the method, and I have no doubt that once I get my mechanics figured out, this will come right together.
We've been working a lot the past three weeks on value for me, attitude and focus during work, and the fact that work = play = work (Thank you S.G.!!). Fizz is showing me a love of playing and working, and a willingness to take this journey in AKC Obedience with me. I'm so excited!! Here are 3 photos from this afternoon which embody all that we've been working on.
Friday, November 25, 2011
A busy week or so
Prep for the Thanksgiving holiday (and the 5k that I ran that morning) has kept me quite busy, and a little slower in Fizz's formal work. We're still doing a lot of things for socialization, and sneaking in 4-5 short training sessions per day, but none has been recorded.
Fizz has visited friends at church after the service, met people and dogs at the pet supply shop, hung outside of a grocery store the night before Thanksgiving, meeting lots of last minute shoppers. While there we checked out both the squeaky-wheeled shopping carts, and the auto-open doors.
About a week ago, Fizz had her first bath. I usually try to bathe puppies in their first week home, but timing just did not lend to that. She was fine with the water, being scrubbed and being rinsed off. After she was out, I definitely saw the beginnings of the characteristic "Rottweiler run amuck" behavior that seems to occur after all baths. You know.......when the still wet dog runs itself across every piece of furniture, cabinets, and anything else upright that it can find, leaving a trail of fur and "wet dog" smell. Yeah, we saw the beginnings of that in the bathoom (rubbing into the rug, snorting..........all very cute.........but!).
Last weekend, Fizz had her first weekend away, out in the Berkshires. She's a wonderful car traveller, just goes right to sleep and doesn't make a peep. She got to enjoy some trail walks with Vikka around the old Christmas tree farm, and had a blast visiting the S. Egremont library. In addition to adventures, we worked on some known behaviors and also dremmeled her nails.......something I do about every 2-3 days.
Fizz is getting very pushy in her chin heeling, which I love. Her tuck sits are getting fast, and she's already showing anticipation in the set-up behavior, trying to turn around into a sit as fast as she can. Its fun to watch the brain work and figure out how to make me reward her. She sits for crate door opening now, and is also sitting for doors to open on a regular basis. Games such as "play with MY toy" are going well, she's very willing to switch from one toy to another, even if she has the more favored toy.
On Thanksgiving, Fizz came with me to the city of Providence in Rhode Island. I ran a 5k race, and then brought her out to socialize afterwards. We had parked in a parking garage, and lots of people were leaving to get home to cook. All the noise and echoing went unnoticed. Every person we saw, she happily greeted and the look on her face regarding those who passed us by.......well, how could the miss such a cute puppy??? We met the camera man for the local ABC station. Thankfully she did NOT eat the spaghetti pile of cords sticking out of his bag. Before we headed back to the car, we found a circle of chairs with see-through wire mesh seats. She was completely unbothered by being able to see through this odd footing, as I asked her to walk the circle of chairs.
After downtown, we stopped in at a friend's house to see one of my C litter boys, and to catch up. Had a wonderful visit, and Fizz even got to play with Calvin (who is now 6). She had a blast playing with someone that looked like her (and was very tolerant of her puppy antics). As we were leaving, their son was out front playing with bubbles, and oh BOY was that fun! Almost as much fun as the winter moths we saw and chased about tonight.
Today Fizz finally met her 'cousin,' Spencer. Spencer is an almost-2yr old yellow Lab. He likes to play and can be quite rambunctious, so they only met on leash, and then went for a nice walk together. While out for our walk, we worked set-ups (getting into heel position) in a totally strange environment, I rewarded for all heads-up eye contact (while in RZ)......boy can this girlie move out at a trot and give awesome eye contact! :) :) I worked recalls off some fairly high-distraction scents (including dead vole), and she came promptly with good attitude each time. Thank you Susan Garrett!!! Can't wait for Recallers 3.0! :)
Final trick of the day was hand targets, haven't worked them much recently. Started with basic ones, and then decided to put it above her head, a la Susan G.'s new method of teaching stand (and with the intent of maybe teaching 'sit pretty' from it too). I was really impressed with her willingness to pop up to my hand and touch. Bet we can get that fun stand figured out in the next session or two! Will try to video tape.
I know you need some puppy cuteness, so I share with you some of Fizz's funny sleeping choices. This puppy never just sleeps on her side. She's either upside on her back, sometimes with her neck at a horrendous angle, often with face mashed against the crate, or she's burrowed under the bed. Enjoy!
Fizz has visited friends at church after the service, met people and dogs at the pet supply shop, hung outside of a grocery store the night before Thanksgiving, meeting lots of last minute shoppers. While there we checked out both the squeaky-wheeled shopping carts, and the auto-open doors.
About a week ago, Fizz had her first bath. I usually try to bathe puppies in their first week home, but timing just did not lend to that. She was fine with the water, being scrubbed and being rinsed off. After she was out, I definitely saw the beginnings of the characteristic "Rottweiler run amuck" behavior that seems to occur after all baths. You know.......when the still wet dog runs itself across every piece of furniture, cabinets, and anything else upright that it can find, leaving a trail of fur and "wet dog" smell. Yeah, we saw the beginnings of that in the bathoom (rubbing into the rug, snorting..........all very cute.........but!).
Last weekend, Fizz had her first weekend away, out in the Berkshires. She's a wonderful car traveller, just goes right to sleep and doesn't make a peep. She got to enjoy some trail walks with Vikka around the old Christmas tree farm, and had a blast visiting the S. Egremont library. In addition to adventures, we worked on some known behaviors and also dremmeled her nails.......something I do about every 2-3 days.
Being called in by James and Emilie
Meeting Cathy, the Asst Librarian
Getting treats from the Librarian, who is known to my kids as their Mimi. :)
Fizz is getting very pushy in her chin heeling, which I love. Her tuck sits are getting fast, and she's already showing anticipation in the set-up behavior, trying to turn around into a sit as fast as she can. Its fun to watch the brain work and figure out how to make me reward her. She sits for crate door opening now, and is also sitting for doors to open on a regular basis. Games such as "play with MY toy" are going well, she's very willing to switch from one toy to another, even if she has the more favored toy.
On Thanksgiving, Fizz came with me to the city of Providence in Rhode Island. I ran a 5k race, and then brought her out to socialize afterwards. We had parked in a parking garage, and lots of people were leaving to get home to cook. All the noise and echoing went unnoticed. Every person we saw, she happily greeted and the look on her face regarding those who passed us by.......well, how could the miss such a cute puppy??? We met the camera man for the local ABC station. Thankfully she did NOT eat the spaghetti pile of cords sticking out of his bag. Before we headed back to the car, we found a circle of chairs with see-through wire mesh seats. She was completely unbothered by being able to see through this odd footing, as I asked her to walk the circle of chairs.
After downtown, we stopped in at a friend's house to see one of my C litter boys, and to catch up. Had a wonderful visit, and Fizz even got to play with Calvin (who is now 6). She had a blast playing with someone that looked like her (and was very tolerant of her puppy antics). As we were leaving, their son was out front playing with bubbles, and oh BOY was that fun! Almost as much fun as the winter moths we saw and chased about tonight.
Today Fizz finally met her 'cousin,' Spencer. Spencer is an almost-2yr old yellow Lab. He likes to play and can be quite rambunctious, so they only met on leash, and then went for a nice walk together. While out for our walk, we worked set-ups (getting into heel position) in a totally strange environment, I rewarded for all heads-up eye contact (while in RZ)......boy can this girlie move out at a trot and give awesome eye contact! :) :) I worked recalls off some fairly high-distraction scents (including dead vole), and she came promptly with good attitude each time. Thank you Susan Garrett!!! Can't wait for Recallers 3.0! :)
Final trick of the day was hand targets, haven't worked them much recently. Started with basic ones, and then decided to put it above her head, a la Susan G.'s new method of teaching stand (and with the intent of maybe teaching 'sit pretty' from it too). I was really impressed with her willingness to pop up to my hand and touch. Bet we can get that fun stand figured out in the next session or two! Will try to video tape.
I know you need some puppy cuteness, so I share with you some of Fizz's funny sleeping choices. This puppy never just sleeps on her side. She's either upside on her back, sometimes with her neck at a horrendous angle, often with face mashed against the crate, or she's burrowed under the bed. Enjoy!
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