February 24, 2010
Perpendicular Sitting
We're doing well with class homework: fast sits, stand and stay while I walk around her, turning left or right, heel, and jump sits (still need to work a bit on this). But Bella normally sits perpendicular to me versus parallel. My fault. I haven't insisted on it until now. Moving her bottom to a parallel position confuses her, so I'm not quite sure how to proceed. I do give lavish praise when she manages a parallel sit, so perhaps this will be the clue. To be honest, I don't really care how she sits as long as she does sit, but it may not cut it in the classroom!
February 20, 2010
Dog School Part 3
Today was the start of our 3rd class. Her first was a puppy class and was more about socialization than anything else. The second was beginning obedience and you can read more about it here. It's been several months and I felt it time for another session. This facility is closer to home, less expensive and even better, looks to be a good class: Beyond Basic Obedience.
Today was just a review for most people with a few new additional things thrown in. We worked on Sit, Stay, Down, Heel, Stand—and Finishes. The last was new for me and Bella is quite sloppy. Her finish is normally perpendicular to me versus parallel in heel position. We have our work cut out for us!
Dana, the instructor, want us to work 15 minutes a day on these commands, making them fun; turn it into a game. No "no's" as she said. She's going to introduce over the course of the class some real games, silent commands, retrieve (without a tennis ball) and at the end, off-leash heeling. I'm really looking forward to this.
Bella got pretty hyper by the end of the class. Dana used her for several show-and-tells and Dana has the Uber treats. Bella lost her self-control. The instructor gave me some of her treats hoping, I'm sure, to calm Bella. Bella, however, knew the instructor had the ultimate stash, so I was glad we were nearly done for the day.
Today was just a review for most people with a few new additional things thrown in. We worked on Sit, Stay, Down, Heel, Stand—and Finishes. The last was new for me and Bella is quite sloppy. Her finish is normally perpendicular to me versus parallel in heel position. We have our work cut out for us!
Dana, the instructor, want us to work 15 minutes a day on these commands, making them fun; turn it into a game. No "no's" as she said. She's going to introduce over the course of the class some real games, silent commands, retrieve (without a tennis ball) and at the end, off-leash heeling. I'm really looking forward to this.
Bella got pretty hyper by the end of the class. Dana used her for several show-and-tells and Dana has the Uber treats. Bella lost her self-control. The instructor gave me some of her treats hoping, I'm sure, to calm Bella. Bella, however, knew the instructor had the ultimate stash, so I was glad we were nearly done for the day.
February 16, 2010
Dog Guests
Bella had her half-sister, Molly, here for a long weekend while Moll's owners sought some sun and warmth in southern California. The dogs had a great time together and played hard. I wish I had taken some pictures!
I brought them to visit a dog-buddy of Bella's, Amber. Amber is the sweetest girl. She's part Lab/part Chow, but looks and behaves like a Labrador. She in advanced middle age and not very interested in playing, so although she greeted the other dogs, she was comfortable sitting with us (and getting rubs) while the two sisters played. Bella led Molly into the bushes on the side of the yard and pulled out a huge tree branch. The two girls tugged and chased (as much as they could dragging this limb) and had a wee of a time. They were so cute to watch. Bella discovered a lost tennis ball (What does she have—T.B. radar?) under the deck and scrabbled that out. Amber was still disinterested. I felt a little badly that the two dogs were having so much fun and Amber didn't join in.
Things are so much easier with Bella than Lucy (God Bless her). Meeting other dogs is a piece of cake. Having another dog over? Piece of cake! Molly and Bella played until they were exhausted, then napped, then started all over again. Our back yard shows evidence of their four days together. They grooved a race track into several corners of the yard as they chased each other around endlessly. The lawn is sporting several small holes where they either dug or chewed their way to China. And sticks? Remnants of them are everywhere in the back!
Molly, being an Australian Shepherd, has a thick, woolly coat. Her coat hasn't been well-managed, so there are lots of mats. Needless to say, the brushing she needs doesn't happen because she doesn't like being brushed. Her owner is going to take her to a groomer and get her bathed and brushed out. With a coat like hers, if brushing doesn't happen daily at home, she should go to the groomer frequently! Lucy had a similar coat, but I brushed her regularly and her coat wasn't matted, therefore, she liked the grooming. But Lucy "blew" fur just like Molly. I vacuumed when Molly left (as four days with playing pups in rainy weather makes for a messy abode) and got a mound of fur. Just like in days of yore with Lucy...who got brushed! So you can imagine the fur-load Molly carries. Never again will I have a long-haired pup. Bella's short coat is just too easy!
I brought them to visit a dog-buddy of Bella's, Amber. Amber is the sweetest girl. She's part Lab/part Chow, but looks and behaves like a Labrador. She in advanced middle age and not very interested in playing, so although she greeted the other dogs, she was comfortable sitting with us (and getting rubs) while the two sisters played. Bella led Molly into the bushes on the side of the yard and pulled out a huge tree branch. The two girls tugged and chased (as much as they could dragging this limb) and had a wee of a time. They were so cute to watch. Bella discovered a lost tennis ball (What does she have—T.B. radar?) under the deck and scrabbled that out. Amber was still disinterested. I felt a little badly that the two dogs were having so much fun and Amber didn't join in.
Things are so much easier with Bella than Lucy (God Bless her). Meeting other dogs is a piece of cake. Having another dog over? Piece of cake! Molly and Bella played until they were exhausted, then napped, then started all over again. Our back yard shows evidence of their four days together. They grooved a race track into several corners of the yard as they chased each other around endlessly. The lawn is sporting several small holes where they either dug or chewed their way to China. And sticks? Remnants of them are everywhere in the back!
Molly, being an Australian Shepherd, has a thick, woolly coat. Her coat hasn't been well-managed, so there are lots of mats. Needless to say, the brushing she needs doesn't happen because she doesn't like being brushed. Her owner is going to take her to a groomer and get her bathed and brushed out. With a coat like hers, if brushing doesn't happen daily at home, she should go to the groomer frequently! Lucy had a similar coat, but I brushed her regularly and her coat wasn't matted, therefore, she liked the grooming. But Lucy "blew" fur just like Molly. I vacuumed when Molly left (as four days with playing pups in rainy weather makes for a messy abode) and got a mound of fur. Just like in days of yore with Lucy...who got brushed! So you can imagine the fur-load Molly carries. Never again will I have a long-haired pup. Bella's short coat is just too easy!
February 10, 2010
Getting Taller
I don't notice it, but several people have mentioned how much bigger they think Bella has grown. She is certainly more mature (sometimes) and looks like an adult now. She is still sporting those beautiful, white "puppy" teeth however!
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