Plans? What Plans?

YAY For weekends where I don't have anything to do!

We had a nice 1.5 hr hike today. Rumor wore a backpack because I didn't feel like throwing any frisbees or balls. I had it weighted with partially filled water bottles. They all had fun. Even sans toys.

Actually, they played more *with* each other today!


Shot of the Day.

Zen says "Uhh, are you playing with me or should I be scared?"
Rumor says "Savor this moment, pup."


The wee man isn't so wee anymore! Is it just me or is he starting to grow into those ears?

I did some shaping tonight. I took video, but I think that can wait. Zen got to work on heel position, both right and left side. He worked on picking up a piece of PVC pipe. I'm trying to shape a "hold". It's going ok so far.

He ran through his tricks with my mom. The only two fully on command are "sit" and "down" everything else he needs help with. He shapes behaviors so easily, but isn't catching on to the command itself like I want him to. I think I try to do too much. I should work one thing at a time until he gets it down fully.

All three dogs did the "bounce" command.

Trying to teach Rumor a stop isn't coming easy. It's such a vague thing to shape, and I'm having a real problem. So we just do a few then take a break with something more fun and less challenging.

Happy Late Birthday!

To Rumor! She turned 4 yesterday. We didn't really celebrate, although she did get extra hugs. Can't believe my baby girl is 4! Its been a long 4 years with lots of challenges, but I'm hoping for lots more.

We actually spent the night at Mike and Brenda's. It was their anniversary so they wanted to go to Shreveport. Zen played super hard with the aussies. He loves them! He liked the little maltese girls who were boarding there, but they weren't so sure of him. He was polite and he didn't trample them with his big ol' feet. :)

He fits into his big boy collar. I bought it before he was ever born. I saw it and it went with his name, so I got it. He can wear it now! Harley said it isn't very manly. It's black with rainbow peace signs on it. Oh well, who cares about manly.

I JUST sent my lens off today. I waited and waited because I thought shipping was going to be like $25 dollars, and I just didn't want to spend it. Well it cost $7.75 to ship with the $100 insurance. Wish I had known that sooner.

I have some random pics taken from my point and shoot, so enjoy.


Frogdog! He did this on his own, but I actually shaped and named this behavior. It's called "frog"


That's the TV remote. In the bathtub. You can tell by the footprints who did this. Zen likes the tub. He will get in there while I shower and just sit and lick the water.


Rumor doing the head twist. She puts herself in the crate sometimes. I was talking to her and she was just twisting her head like she was listening.


Carrie on the bed. This is her spot. She stares at me while I'm on the computer. Ask her why the sheets had to be washed. She thought it would be great to upchuck something gross onto the comforter.

Mat Work

I didn't edit out the sound, so ignore the fact that I'm talking to the camera.

Herding Lesson #3

Zen went herding for his third time yesterday. Linda says for his age and exposure level he's doing great. He's learning to get out around the sheep. He's getting pretty good. Since he is in a smaller pen he isn't splitting any off anymore. His down is almost non-existant in the presence of sheep. When we stop for me to get advice, or ask Linda a question he settles down and rests instead of constantly trying to get to the sheep. I think if I work just a little harder at getting downs from all angles and distances outside of herding that it will help. He is still trying to cut in a little, but Linda said she was pleased with his progress. We do really short sessions. We work one direction a little, then go the other way, then give him a break. If I ever buy another tripod, or if anyone ever goes with me maybe I can get more video.

Rumor did really really well. She got out around the sheep a few times and was actually beginning to bring them in to me. This is a big accomplishment and I can still see her giving stress signals when there is that much pressure on her. She kept at it though. Her speed picked up a little today, so that shows some more confidence. A couple of times when she was bringing the sheep to me she put too much pressure on them and one would split off. She took it upon herself to look at the larger group, then look back to the loner and turn and bring him back to the flock. Linda was super pleased with that. She said it shows that she's using her brain to say "Hey, this doesn't look right, how do I fix it." She wants me to train a solid stop on her so we can move to the next step. Rumor just doesn't down well under pressure. So if I can manage to get a stop that would be perfect. I thought she showed a little more eye yesterday as well. Overall her confidence is building.

Before herding we were at an agility trial. Zen was awesome! He played frisbee offleash around other dogs and stuff. He kept with the game and didn't get distracted and go visit. He played with Debbie Spence's new puppy, Braedan. Lots of people petted and played with him and he stayed quiet in his crate. People still think he's a horse, but I'm reassured that Chris Ann said he wasn't going to be huge, just large-boned.

Going to breakfast now.

A smattering of an update

At least, I think smattering is a word. In my mind it means, a mish-mash, or various grouping of items.

Things are going pretty good. Lately Rumor seems to be stressed. I'm wondering if Zen's hormones are kicking in a bit and she's feeding off that. It could be that I'm not getting much sleep and that puts everyone on edge. I seem to get lots of sleep but it never feels like enough. (By lots I mean usually 6-8 hrs a night) I'm trying to keep the dogs exercise levels up. We have been doing lots of frisbee, which Rumor just loves. The weather has been wacky. Snow and then beautiful sun, then windy and cloudy and FREEZING! The dogs don't seem fazed (phased?) but I hate biting cold wind.

I started running again! Ahh, its relaxing. lol. That sounds weird, but I love being able to clear my mind with a good run. I am only up to a mile, but that's not bad considering I was off for 2 months. I had only worked myself up to about 2.5 miles before I slacked off. My stamina stinks, but it's definitely better than when I very first started running.

I have lots of pictures and video to edit and post here. When will I find the time? I seriously thought about limiting myself to 1hr of computer time a day. I haven't had the guts to follow through yet, but its still being contemplated. I just really need to get back to doing clicker stuff with the other two girls. Not just Zen. Some relaxation stuff and group games wouldn't hurt either. I guess I'm one of those people that likes the idea of sticking to a schedule, but I really have problems with it.

Speaking of, I did clicker sessions tonight with each dog. I'm working on having them lift a rear leg near an object. It looks like a male dog marking something. I need to know what to name it though. Zen is at the point where I could start using the name. Rumor needs a little fine tuning. She's really good in one direction, but in the other she offers a handstand. Carrie is doing well, but not quite ready for a command. I was thinking of naming it "boy" so I could say "Are you a boy?" and they would lift their leg. But I remembered that now, one out of 3 dogs is a "Good Boy". That puts that word out of the running. I don't want to say "Pee" because sometimes I actually use that when they potty. Harley suggested "Fire" like "Put out the fire." Still debating on that one. Any suggestions?

Zen is doing great at puppy daycare! He comes home tired and happy. He's happy to go in the mornings and happy to see me when I come get him. My mom said that's a sign of a good day. lol She bases this on her experience dropping us off at daycare.

Anywho, I am going to bed.

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