Happy Dog and Puppy Rich update
Definitely rusty for the Happy Dog show. Nothing too bad, at this stage Vic really doesn't need much tuning up, but I apparently still need it. ;-) Lots of good on the weekend, just a couple bobbles that I could have prevented with better handling and a little reminder to Vic in training that he needs to take jumps. He is such a great dog, so fun to run, my good fortune having him as an agility teammate never ceases to amaze me. He was also a bigger ass than usual with other dogs at the show. After my initial "off with his balls", I have to think he is tired dealing with super hyper puppy all the time. I do try to make sure he has time off from the energy pack that is Rich, but no one ever really gets a break and I'm AMAZED at what Vic lets Rich get away with. Starlet remains much clearer about boundaries with the puppy.
Saturday
Sunday (two of the ugliest dogwalk approaches I've ever seen)
Starlet tweaked her knee again Monday or Tuesday, so she's on rest for a couple weeks and not happy about being left home. :-( Vic is also getting a few days off. He seems fine, but he wants to play the games that Rich plays and yesterday did a multiple sommersault retrieve that rubber puppy can get away with, but I don't think it was good for a 6 year old dog. Again, seems fine, but a little break from running around isn't going to hurt anything.
Rich was great at the show. Had a very brief moment of "OMG dogs are running, I must BARK!!!", but quickly settled down and played with me, did his tricks and met dogs that are MUCH more tolerant than the ones he lives with. I will say that Rich does test to see how much dogs will tolerate, but if they say they don't care, he's on their backs hanging on to whatever hair/body part he can get in his mouth. Yes, my puppy can be an ass. Cutest puppy moment of the show, Rich was playing with the stash of toys he'd taken from the tolerant dogs, then looked over and took off, clearly a puppy on a mission. He'd spotted Rudder, my friends mini-aussie with a tail and had mistaken his tail as a toy.
Still, Rich is generally a very good puppy. Super good as long as I'm engaged with him, trouble when I'm not. ;-) Housetraining is coming along, he even asked to go outside a few times. Recall is now back up on the list. Definitely something I need to bring the good treats out for. Much like Vic as a puppy, he's great about coming if I have a toy, not so good if I don't. We've started doing more circle games and tons of forward focus games. He's very good at those, I don't expect forward focus will be too hard for him, so also high on the list is continuing to ask for behaviors that require him to focus on me, while I'm holding a toy. So very hard for Mr. Intensity.
Watching the action at the show.
Legit is a very good boy.
The ears have deflated a bit this week...
The weather has been gorgeous this week, I think Rich approves.
Go puppy go!
Group picture from Monday. No Rich's paws are not as big as Vic's.
Saturday
Click to viewSunday (two of the ugliest dogwalk approaches I've ever seen)
Starlet tweaked her knee again Monday or Tuesday, so she's on rest for a couple weeks and not happy about being left home. :-( Vic is also getting a few days off. He seems fine, but he wants to play the games that Rich plays and yesterday did a multiple sommersault retrieve that rubber puppy can get away with, but I don't think it was good for a 6 year old dog. Again, seems fine, but a little break from running around isn't going to hurt anything.
Rich was great at the show. Had a very brief moment of "OMG dogs are running, I must BARK!!!", but quickly settled down and played with me, did his tricks and met dogs that are MUCH more tolerant than the ones he lives with. I will say that Rich does test to see how much dogs will tolerate, but if they say they don't care, he's on their backs hanging on to whatever hair/body part he can get in his mouth. Yes, my puppy can be an ass. Cutest puppy moment of the show, Rich was playing with the stash of toys he'd taken from the tolerant dogs, then looked over and took off, clearly a puppy on a mission. He'd spotted Rudder, my friends mini-aussie with a tail and had mistaken his tail as a toy.
Still, Rich is generally a very good puppy. Super good as long as I'm engaged with him, trouble when I'm not. ;-) Housetraining is coming along, he even asked to go outside a few times. Recall is now back up on the list. Definitely something I need to bring the good treats out for. Much like Vic as a puppy, he's great about coming if I have a toy, not so good if I don't. We've started doing more circle games and tons of forward focus games. He's very good at those, I don't expect forward focus will be too hard for him, so also high on the list is continuing to ask for behaviors that require him to focus on me, while I'm holding a toy. So very hard for Mr. Intensity.
Watching the action at the show.
Legit is a very good boy.
The ears have deflated a bit this week...
The weather has been gorgeous this week, I think Rich approves.
Go puppy go!
Group picture from Monday. No Rich's paws are not as big as Vic's.